France dodges rerun of looting and riots at protests

France avoided a repeat of large-scale violence and looting that marred nationwide protests a week ago, suggesting the government’s decision to boost police numbers and contain marches paid off. About 110,000 people took part in a mostly peaceful demonstration confined to the edge of Paris on Saturday and an additional 300,000 turned out across the country, according to the Interior Ministry. The CGT union put the figure at 800,000.

Some scuffles broke out, especially on the margins and at the end of processions, with hundreds of masked individuals dressed in black taking on security personnel, who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.