Thousands of people marched across France on Saturday, the fifth weekend in a row of demonstrations fuelled by anger over the rising cost of living, low wages and a proposed law that would give police officers greater legal protection when they fire their weapons. In Paris, protesters gathered at Place de la République and hoisted the French flag on top of a statue, while thousands more rallied in the southern city of Toulouse.
The country has seen more than a month of high-school blockades and street protests ahead of next year's presidential election, which will bring Emmanuel Macron's presidency to an end. Yellow Vest activists, students, trade unionists and rights campaigners joined Saturday's marches, which were largely peaceful, though earlier rallies have seen fringe violence and accusations of police brutality, including against teenagers. "The government has only given us crumbs, and we want the whole bakery," Yellow Vest member Benjamin Ball told AFP.
The bill now before parliament would create a presumption of legitimate self-defence for officers who use their firearms. Supporters, including Marine Le Pen's far-right party, say police should not automatically be suspected of excessive force, while critics warn it would amount to a "licence to kill" in a country where alleged police brutality cases rarely reach a criminal court. Lawyers reported last week that police violence at recent protests had caused serious injuries to protesters' hands, feet and eyes.
Around 146,000 people took part in protests nationwide last Saturday, according to official figures, while a union-led strike the Thursday before drew more than 500,000. Unions have now called another nationwide strike for Tuesday after rejecting the government's offer of a 0.6 percent rise in the minimum wage.
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