France protest turn violent for Paris as police officer hit by firebomb

Wetin start as mostly peaceful day of march across France end with tear gas and arrests for several cities on Saturday, as third straight weekend of protest against cost of living pull hundreds of thousands onto street.

Interior ministry put national turnout at about 320,000, including 70,000 for Paris. Youth groups wey dey behind the marches give far higher figure, saying close to half a million people take part nationwide and 200,000 for capital.

Many come in Halloween costume, from Spider-Man to Frankenstein, carry placards wey dey mock government handling of the crisis. One sign read say tear gas no needed to make future look bleak; another say the person wey wear am come dressed as angry citizen.

Violence at end of Paris march

Trouble flare after march for outskirts of Paris wind up for bright sunshine. According to Paris police prefecture, several hundred rioters for back of procession throw projectiles at officers, including one Molotov cocktail.

One officer get hit by incendiary device and escape with minor injuries. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez describe the attack as attempted murder and blame far-left extremist groups for the violence. He say authorities fully prepared for those wey dey seek confrontation.

Officers answer with tear gas and baton charges. Night-time curfew set for Republique and Chatelet-Les Halles areas of central Paris from 11pm to 6am on Saturday and Sunday. More than 420 people arrest across country.

For Lyon, protesters throw objects at police, who respond with tear gas. For Toulouse, officers use water cannon against unauthorised gathering of several thousand people, mostly young. Interior ministry say radical elements for Bordeaux, Toulouse and Marseille try to push into city centres to vandalise and loot.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen say those behind firebomb attack must face harshest punishment, calling images of officer in flames unbearable.

Students plan new blockades

The movement bring together Yellow Vest activists, trade unions and high school and university students. E start over prices, inequality and poor learning conditions, then widen to include civil liberties and right to protest after security crackdown and serious injuries to some demonstrators.

Students complain say police refuse to allow march through central Paris. Sabrine Kharbach, spokeswoman for Union Etudiante, say dem go blockade universities and high schools from Tuesday, again on Thursday, and join union-called demonstration on November 5.

Some shopkeepers board up their storefronts in advance. For eastern Paris, cafe worker Wael Boubaker cover him shop with plywood, saying everyone dey stay home and nobody go come buy anything.

The unrest come less than six months before presidential elections, with Le Pen leading opinion polls. The eurozone second-largest economy near recession and under pressure to cut debt, leaving government little room to calm anger with extra spending.