More than 1,200 arrested as protests across France turn violent

Wall Street Turkish - International (English) · Oct 18, 2026 · 1m

More than 1,200 people were arrested in France as demonstrations supporting high school students turned violent in several cities. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers were injured. Hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully, but groups also set fires, looted shops and attacked police. In Limoges, a fire set by masked protesters badly damaged the town hall. In Paris, clashes near Place de la République included officers firing tear gas at rioters who threw fireworks and paving stones. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the official demonstration had been…