French riot police have fired tear gas at “yellow vest” protesters gathered on the Champs Elysees boulevard. A police spokeswoman said there were around 1,500 protestors, and 211 have been arrested after police found weapons. These weapons included hammers, baseball bats and metal petanque balls.
Today many of Paris’ usually bustling streets and busy tourist attractions have been closed in anticipation of the “yellow vest” protests.
Residents were advised to remain at home if possible, as 8,000 police and 12 armoured vehicles braced to deal with another bout of protests.
Last weekend protests escalated into violence which saw cars set alight, shops looted and the Arc de Triomphe defaced with graffiti aimed at French President Emmanuel Macron.
Rising living costs have been the basis for the riots, with 77 percent of French people supporting the “yellow vest” movement according to French news site Le Figaro.
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Read More: Paris riots LIVE updates: CHAOS ON STREETS in Macron protests
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on French television: “We will do all we can so that today can be a day without violence so that the dialogue that we started this week can continue in the best possible circumstances.”
Dramatic images show the plumes of tear gas rising from canisters, as crowds of protesters gather on the closed down Paris streets.
Shops have been boarded up, and the Eiffel Tower and Louvre closed as demonstrations began close to the Champs Elysees.
Last week the French government announced they were scrapping the fuel increases and has frozen electricity and gas prices for 2019.
However, protests have continued over other issues – such as the need for higher wages, lower taxes and better pensions to name a few.
Some protesters have even called for Macron’s resignation.
The demonstrations have been organised across the country via social media, with around 89,000 police deployed throughout France today in an attempt to stem the violence.
The weekend has been dubbed “Act IV” as they demand changes to Macron’s policies.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told online news site Brut: “We have prepared a robust response.”
Authorities have blamed violence from the protests on hijacking from far right and anarchist groups.
Pictures taken this morning show protesters in their yellow vests approaching police.
Protester Guillaume Le Grac, 28, told Reuters: “We have come here for a peaceful march, not to smash things. We want equality, we want to live, not survive.”
Tear gas has been thrown, with some attempting to kick it away.
French riot police can be seen arresting some protesters, as they attempt to prevent the violence of last week.