US Vice President JD Vance
The demonstrations were marked by arson, looting and clashes with police, with a fire partially destroying the 143-year-old town hall in Limoges. In Limoges, the historic town hall was partially destroyed in an arson attack, while Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave said up to 100 shops had been looted. French interior minister Laurent Nuñez said 110 demonstrations had drawn around 5,50,000 people nationwide, including 1,10,000 in Paris. Organisers, including the CGT labour union and student organisations, estimated the turnout at approximately 8,00,000. Earlier reporting noted: According to AFP, around 550,000 people took part in protests on Saturday, according to the country’s interior ministry, while the CGT union said 800,000 turned out. About 400 arrests were made.
US Vice President JD Vance has launched a scathing attack on France’s immigration policies, blaming them for the country’s escalating unrest as violent protests over education cuts, rising living costs and public services swept several cities.
They were told it would lead to this and they didn’t listen,” Vance said. Earlier, in a post on Truth Social, Trump had said, “What’s happening in France is nothing less than out of control mass migration. French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu also said the government would not be intimidated by violence, distinguishing peaceful demonstrations from arson, looting and attacks on property. Earlier reporting noted: Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said “entire streets have been devastated” in the capital.
“Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. Warning of France’s unrest as a caution, He urged Americans to pay attention.
Vance’s remarks follow an earlier intervention by US president Donald Trump, who also attributed the unrest to ‘mass migration’ and ‘Islam’, dismissing the protests’ stated concerns over school conditions. Earlier reporting noted: US Vice President JD Vance blamed Western liberals for mass immigration, accusing them of importing people from the developing world in the name of diversity. Violence escalated on Saturday, with public buildings and businesses targeted in several cities.