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FRANCE-POLITICS-PROTEST
Over 400 hurt in French fuel price protests: minister
PARIS, Nov 18, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – More than 400 people were hurt, 14
seriously, in a day and night of “yellow vest” fuel price protests around
France that claimed one life, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on
Sunday.
The injury toll, more than double the last tally provided on Saturday,
followed a “restive” night in 87 locations around the country where
protesters had blocked roads to express their anger at a series of hikes in
petrol tax.
The injured, 409 in total, included 28 members of the police, military
police, and fire brigade.
Castaner told RTL radio about 288,000 people had taken part in Saturday’s
protests at 2,034 locations countrywide. About 3,500 stayed out overnight, he
added.
Police questioned 282 protesters in total, 73 during the night, of which
157 were taken into custody.
“Last night was restive… There were assaults, fights, stabbings,”
Castaner said. “There were fights among ‘yellow vest’ protesters. There was a
lot of alcohol at certain venues, which led to this idiotic behaviour.”
Protest organisers have called for the continuation of demonstrations
Sunday at about 150 locations countrywide, the minister added.
On Saturday, groups blocked roundabouts, major highways and thoroughfares
to express anger over tax rises on fuel, arguing it has shrunk personal
spending power under President Emmanuel Macron.
Tempers flared at times as some drivers confronted the protesters or tried
to force their way through the barricades.
In the eastern Savoie region, a woman trying to get her daughter to a
doctor panicked after protesters surrounded their car and banged on the roof,
accelerating into the crowd and killing a 63-year-old woman.
The protesters are nicknamed “yellow vests” for the high-visibility
jackets they wear.
BSS/AFP/RY/1620 hrs