The interior ministry estimated that 550,000 people participated in the October 17 protest
Police arrested 1,314 people in weekend protests across France, the interior ministry said Sunday, adding that 53 officers were hurt in clashes. The interior ministry said police responded to 75 fires during Saturday’s protests, adding that 24 shops were looted.
“Several investigations have been opened,” it said. Police made 128 arrests overnight in Barcelona for acts of “vandalism”, damage to public property” and “looting”, the regional Catalan police said Sunday. The police said the operation led to “31 arrests for disobedience”.
It was the second consecutive weekend of unrest in France. Footage on social media showed groups of young people attacking businesses in Barcelona after gathering for a protest rally that had not been declared to the authorities. Portuguese police again cleared tents set up by protesters against skyrocketing housing prices overnight Sunday. Protesters poured onto the streets of Tirana Sunday hours after PM Edi Rama vowed fines against violent protesters. Student-led demonstrations, fuelled by anger over perceived govt corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards, have engulfed central Tirana and spread to other cities this month.
The arrests occurred as violence broke out on the margins of mass demonstrations in major cities on Saturday over the high cost of living.