Paris police say that at least 65 people including 11 police officers have been injured in violent protests in the French capital. Police also say that 140 people have been arrested.
Paris police spokeswoman Johanna Primevert gave the updated figures Saturday afternoon.
Some protesters in France have set cars and trash cans on fire in central Paris after police pushed them away from the Arc de Triomphe monument following violent clashes.
Sporadic scuffles with police were breaking out Saturday afternoon in Paris city center as some protesters tried to build makeshift barricades using plywood planks and other material.
Meanwhile, other protesters, called “yellow jackets” because of the fluorescent vests they wear, were marching peacefully elsewhere in Paris.
France’s prime minister says that some protesters have attacked police officers in rarely seen violence in central Paris, leading to the arrest of at least 107 people.
Edouard Philippe has told reporters at Paris police headquarters that authorities counted more than 5,000 protesters on and around the Champs-Elysees avenue.
He said “some determined, equipped individuals” gathered Saturday morning to “provoke” clashes with police. At least 10 officers were slightly injured.
He added that he was “shocked” by violence near the Arc de Triomphe and graffiti sprayed onto the monument, a symbol of the country with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.
He said that authorities are “determined to allow peaceful protests” and will give “no excuse to those coming to make trouble.”
