Unrest in Europe leads to destruction
Far-left protests and riots broke out across Europe and in France, where police and violent rioters clashed, sparking destructive fires at businesses and infrastructure. (Credit: Reuters)
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A historic building in the French city of Limoges, about three hours south of Paris, has been “largely lost” after being set on fire by rioters as protests continue across France.
Limoges Town Hall was built in 1883 and became a historic monument in 1975.
“The roof collapsed on the lower floors, with the exception of the west wing, and two-thirds of the exterior has already disappeared,” local prefect Maurice Barate told AFP.
The roof of the 143-year-old Limoges town hall tower collapses.
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Barate called it a “deliberate act of hooligans,” adding that it was a “disaster for heritage.”
The destruction came as far-left anti-government protests and violent clashes entered their fourth week in the European country due to the cost of living.
On Saturday, outgoing President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media: “There is no place for violence in our republic.”
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A fire destroys Limoges town hall after rioters broke into the historic building to protest the “high cost of living”, in Limoges, central France, on Saturday. (Pascal Lachenaud / AFP via Getty Images)
“Those who smashed, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished,” he added translated from French. “To the police, guarantors of the right to demonstrate, I express the support of the Nation. We will all be united against the sowers of chaos, who only seek to bring down our institutions and prevent those who peacefully express their demands.”
Macron will leave office in six months.
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A fire broke out on Saturday at the town hall of Limoges, in central France, during a demonstration. (Élise Cabane / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Around 400 people were arrested on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, as more than half a million people took part in more than 100 marches across the country.
Masked groups also tried to break into town halls in Lille and Calais and a police station in Brest, the Interior Minister reported, as well as violence in Rennes, Toulouse, Montpellier and Grenoble, among other cities.
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A fire destroys Limoges town hall after rioters broke into the historic building to protest the “high cost of living”, in Limoges, central France, on Saturday. (Pascal Lachenaud / AFP via Getty Images)
Nuñez blamed the unrest on “extremely violent radical far-left groups.”
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Although many demonstrations were peaceful, many degenerated into riots. Police used tear gas and water cannons on Saturday to disperse violent groups in Paris, where people wearing balaclavas and masks threw fireworks and other objects at police on Place de la République.
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