PARIS, October 17. /TASS/. French police dispersed an unauthorized rally near the French president’s official residence, Elysee Palace, where crowds gathered despite a ban from the authorities, the LCI television reported.
Marching crowds were stopped around 200 meters from the building. The number of participants is unknown. A small group of protestors is now gathering near the Avenue des Champs-Elysees.
A TASS correspondent reported that tear gas was used to disperse the crowd of around a hundred people, who carried banners that criticized the police and the government. A grenade with tear gas was hurled at them after they partially blocked traffic not far from the Elysee Palace.
Earlier, the Franceinfo radio station reported citing the authorities that the Paris City Hall has prohibited public demonstrations in a number of areas in the French capital on Saturday, including streets adjacent to the presidential residence. Violators are facing a fine of 135 euro. However, numerous unauthorized rallies have been taking place in various locations in Paris since morning.
A series of mass protests against rising fuel prices and the declining purchasing power of the population has been taking place all over France on October 17. In a number of cities, the protests have escalated into riots and clashes with police. By 1:00 p.m. GMT, a total of 272 people have been detained all over France, including over 160 in the capital.
In a separate incident, a group of aggressive protestors broke into the City Hall building in Lille, after smashing glass doors, the RTL television said. Rioters ransacked the place but fled before riot police units arrived. At this point, fierce clashes between the police and protestors are taking place in the city.
Similar reports came from Marseille, where the city hall building was also raided and vandalized.
Also, police used tear gas to disperse an angry crowd on Place de la Victoire in Bordeaux, the Sud Ouest newspaper wrote. A water cannon was installed in the area.