‘It looks like a war zone’: France reels as looting continues for second night
Police appear to have been taken by surprise by scale of looting that began after protests turned violent in Paris and other cities
TL;DR
- Looting and vandalism occurred in central Paris for a second night, with masked groups targeting shops.
- The incidents followed Emmanuel Macron's televised speech addressing the "unbearable" ransacking of streets.
- Similar events, including peaceful protests, barricades, clashes with police, and looting, took place in other French cities starting Saturday.
- Police appeared surprised by the scale of the second night of looting in Paris.
- Individuals arrested included those with previous convictions for various offenses.
- Shopkeepers began efforts to protect their businesses, with some emptying stock.
- The violence and looting were described by residents and observers as unprecedented and resembling a "war zone."