Unrest across Europe leaves destruction in wake
Far-left protests and riots have spread across Europe and France, where police have clashed with violent demonstrators. The unrest has sparked destructive fires targeting businesses and public infrastructure. (Credit: Reuters)
A historic building in Limoges, a French city roughly three hours south of Paris, has been “largely lost” after rioters set it ablaze as demonstrations continued across the country.
Limoges Town Hall was constructed in 1883 and received historic landmark status in 1975.
“The roof has collapsed onto the lower floors, except for the west wing, and two-thirds of the exterior has already disappeared,” local prefect Maurice Barate told the AFP news agency.
The tower roof of the 143-year-old Limoges Town Hall collapses.
Barate described the incident as “a deliberate act by hooligans” and called it “a catastrophe for heritage.”
The damage occurred as far-left, anti-government protests over the rising cost of living entered their fourth consecutive week in France.
Outgoing President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media Saturday: “There is no place for violence in our republic.”
Fire destroys Limoges Town Hall after rioters broke into the historic building to protest the “high cost of living,” in Limoges, central France on Saturday. (Pascal Lachenaud / AFP via Getty Images)
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“Those who have broken into or attacked prefectures and businesses, and even looted our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished,” he said, according to a translation from French. “To the law enforcement forces, guarantors of the right to demonstrate, I express the support of the Nation. We will all stand united against the sowers of chaos, who seek only to bring down our institutions and prevent those who peacefully express their demands from doing so.”
Macron is due to leave office in six months.
A fire breaks out at Limoges Town Hall in Limoges, central France on Saturday, during a demonstration. (Elise Cabane / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said about 400 people were arrested Saturday, while more than 500,000 people participated in over 100 marches nationwide.
Nuñez said masked groups also tried to enter city halls in Lille and Calais, as well as a police station in Brest. Violence was reported in Rennes, Toulouse, Montpellier and Grenoble, among other cities.
Fire destroys Limoges Town Hall after rioters broke into the historic building to protest “high cost of living,” in Limoges, central France on Saturday. (Pascal Lachenaud / AFP via Getty Images)
Nuñez attributed the unrest to “extremely violent, radical far-left groups.”
Although many demonstrations remained peaceful, others escalated into riots. In Paris, police used tear gas and water cannons Saturday to disperse violent groups at the Place de la République, where hooded and masked protesters threw fireworks and other objects at officers.
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