Yellow vests: Protesters in Paris set fire to dozens of cars in anger at millionaire Notre Dame donations
Demonstrators voice frustration at equivalent of £770m raised for cathedral while workers' demands remain unmet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Yellow vest protesters have set fire to dozens of motorbikes and cars in Paris after a protest, partially criticising the government’s response to the Notre Dame fire, descended into violence.
Clashes broke out when efforts by riot police to stop the protest provoked demonstrators to throw flares and start fires.
Some protesters were frustrated that the international support for the damaged cathedral was eclipsing their demands.
“Millions for Notre-Dame, what about for us, the poor?” read a sign worn by a demonstrator.
“Everything for Notre-Dame, nothing for the miserables,” read another, referencing Victor Hugo‘s Les Miserables.
France’s interior minister said a total of 9,600 people were demonstrating across France, including 6,700 in Paris, in a largely peaceful day of protesting.
Many protesters were saddened by the fire at the cathedral, but they were also angry that some £770m had been raised so easily for the monument’s reconstruction while their demands remained largely unmet.
“I think what happened at Notre Dame is a great tragedy but humans should be more important than stones. And if humans had a little bit more money, they too could help finance the reconstruction work at Notre Dame. I find this disgusting,” said protester Jose Fraile.
Saturday’s protest marked the 23rd straight weekend of yellow vest action against economic inequality and Emmanuel Macron’s government, which demonstrators say favours the wealthy over ordinary workers.
Several thousand people marched from the Finance Ministry in eastern Paris to demand lower taxes on workers and retirees, and higher taxes on the rich.
Mr Macron was scheduled to lay out his responses to the yellow vest movement on Monday night, but his speech was cancelled after the fire broke out.
He is expected to rescheduled the speech for next Thursday.
The heavy police presence at the protests meant subway stations and roads around Paris were closed on Saturday, frustrating travel plans for tourists visiting the French capital.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments