Macron condemns violence after nationwide French protests turn deadly

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned arson, looting and attacks on public buildings after nationwide demonstrations over school conditions and the cost of living descended into violence in several cities over the weekend.

Hundreds of thousands of people joined marches that were largely peaceful, including about 110,000 in Paris, according to figures reported by the BBC. Violence later erupted in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Limoges, where a historic city hall was set ablaze. Authorities made more than 2,300 arrests over the weekend, France 24 reported. Colombia One reported two deaths linked to the unrest, including a police officer struck by a vehicle in Nantes and a protester who suffered cardiac arrest north of Paris, citing provisional Interior Ministry figures.

In a televised address Sunday, Macron said “nothing justifies” the destruction and promised that those responsible would be held accountable. He ordered a review of intelligence gathering and police preparations, said local authorities could ban some gatherings to protect buildings and businesses, and asked the government to convene students, teachers, lawmakers, unions and business representatives to develop proposals addressing the crisis.

The demonstrations followed four weeks of student-led protests demanding action on absent teachers and deteriorating school buildings, later broadening to include rising living costs. The unrest came amid scrutiny of police tactics: Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told the Senate that internal investigations had been opened into 36 allegations of police violence during school protests, including cases involving children with severe injuries.