Thousands of Yellow Vests protesters took to the streets throughout France on Friday, as pro-reform rallies continued.
Despite President Emmanuel Macron launching a national debate aimed at resolving this situation, the Yellow Vests are still calling for his resignation, as some 27,000 took part in rallies in various parts of the country, including an 8,000-strong protest in Paris, according to figures released by the French Interior Ministry, as cited by AP.
Coffins to mark those who have died in accidents as a result of #GiletsJaunes protests since #Nov17 #ActeX #Paris pic.twitter.com/rYuyrrAihK
— Charlotte Dubenskij (@CDubenskij_RT) 19 января 2019 г.
Direction #placeditalie #GiletsJaunes pic.twitter.com/Ot0E8F7BBe
— Koceïla (@koceila_t) 19 января 2019 г.
Tens of thousands protest today for #Acte10 of the #GiletsJaunes pic.twitter.com/zDWehqdC9X
— marisa (@marisa82621414) 19 января 2019 г.
In response, authorities deployed over 80,000 police and gendarmerie officers across the country — around 5,000 in Paris alone — to maintain order, though it seemingly wasn’t enough to prevent violence breaking out, with at least 30 protesters being arrested in the French capital.
#Paris #GiletsJaunes #ActeXpic.twitter.com/EQimibXP4A
— nonouzi (@Gerrrty) 19 января 2019 г.
DIRECT 🇫🇷 Gilets jaunes à Paris: Les forces de l'ordre visées par un mortier d'artifice au départ des incidents sur l'avenue de Trouville, près des Invalides. (images @Actu17). #ActeX https://t.co/ZfMfb9LvK5 pic.twitter.com/5xDtH7bVGa
— Actu17 (@Actu17) 19 января 2019 г.
10e samedi de mobilisation des #GiletsJaunes: à #Paris des manifestants détruisent un feu de signalisation.
— LCI (@LCI) 19 января 2019 г.
📺#La26 pic.twitter.com/zNla7i5rcp
In Bordeaux, some 4,000 Yellow Vests took part in the rally, where young men wearing helmets and masks clashed with law enforcement.
Water cannons are out in Bordeaux. #GiletsJaunes #YellowVestspic.twitter.com/jPVvlJfuGd
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) 19 января 2019 г.
🚨 #France ℹ #Bordeaux 🔴 explosive SITUATION 💥 right now ongoing between #GiletsJaunes and regime forces during #ActeX #19January #YellowVests #Resistance #GJ #Solidarity #GiletsJaune #Breaking pic.twitter.com/0Xrz9LIKWP
— Partisan FB🏴 (@PartisanDE) 19 января 2019 г.
Gilets jaunes bordeaux quatre voitures incendiées angle cours Victor Hugo rue des boucheries @F3Aquitaine pic.twitter.com/9FGOxdqW8J
— P.Zuddas (@pascalzuddas) 19 января 2019 г.
🚨 #France ℹ #Bordeaux 🔴 A bank branch was devastated during #ActeX #19January #GiletsJaunes #YellowVests #Resistance #GJ #Solidarity #GiletsJaune #Bordeaux #Yellowjackets pic.twitter.com/fmlVP1QBlL
— Partisan FB🏴 (@PartisanDE) 19 января 2019 г.
Des #JiléJones pacifiques et bons-enfants jettent des gentils pavés sur les #gendarmes #GiletsJaunes #Bordeaux pic.twitter.com/wXicAweq6D
— Maraine Lapine Officiel™ 🐰 🌈 (@Maraine_Lapine) 19 января 2019 г.
Gilets jaunes bordeaux cours Victor Hugo ou l’agence du crédit agricole a été saccagé… les forces de l ordre repoussent les manifestants vers les quais @F3Aquitaine pic.twitter.com/RjNmdMT7mH
— P.Zuddas (@pascalzuddas) 19 января 2019 г.
About 2,000 rallied in the centre of Rennes, where two police officers were injured in clashes with protesters.
Les Gilets Jaunes sont « pacifistes », à #rennes à l’instant, personne n’arrête les casseurs #stopviolence @ouestfrance35 @LeTelegramme pic.twitter.com/y8VSYDtvYQ
— tiphdiadel (@tiphdiadel) 19 января 2019 г.
Les forces de l'ordre utilisent des gaz lacrymogènes en nombre à République. Les manifestants sont toujours plusieurs centaines. #Rennes pic.twitter.com/wSRR8rfwxA
— Rennes 24 (@Rennes24) 19 января 2019 г.
Foule immense à Paris:
— OlivierFrancois6020ن (@OFrancois60200) 19 января 2019 г.
Ici rue de Rennes angle rue Cassette vers 13h…#ActeX#GiletsJaunes pic.twitter.com/OCvdWcDbUe
#GiletsJaunes #Rennes Montée de la tension place du Parlement. Vers 17h45 La police lance des grenades assourdissantes ou de désencerclement et des lacrymogènes. Des projectiles partent. La nuit arrive et la situation se tend pic.twitter.com/rbhTPVXXt2
— François Lorin (@francois_lorin) 19 января 2019 г.
#GiletsJaunes Place du Parlement à #Rennes les policiers se déplacent sous les huées puis lancent du lacrymogène au milieu des gilets jaunes. Puis retour au calme précaire pic.twitter.com/UkYTRKo52J
— François Lorin (@francois_lorin) 19 января 2019 г.
Conflicting reports emerged from Lille, with local authorities claiming that 1,500 protesters took part in the Act Ten rally, while organisers claimed they mustered twice that number, according to AFP.
The Yellow Vests protests, aptly named after the reflective jacket all drivers in France are required to carry in their vehicles, began in mid-November, sparked by concerns over an impending gas and diesel tax hike.
#Angers Tear gass being deployed. #GiletsJaunes #ActeX#Yellowvests pic.twitter.com/jLzq8ctNd4
— nonouzi (@Gerrrty) 19 января 2019 г.
READ MORE: Rage Across France: Over 200 Arrested in 'Yellow Vests' Protests (PHOTO, VIDEO)
While Paris has since scrapped the proposed tax increase, the protests have evolved into a broader movement against government policies and rising living costs.
Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron launched a national debate aimed at pacifying the protests, but has seemingly failed to address protesters' concerns.
