United States (US) President, Donald Trump, has said in a post on Truth Social, “France is burning!”.
The statement by the US Leader is coming following violent clashes, looting and the burning of buildings in the European country, with more than 1,000 arrested.
On Saturday, during the latest day of demonstrations over hardship in schools and cost of living, the violence erupted across France.
At least, more than 1,000 people were apprehended in what the government of France described as an “escalation in violence” alongside an estimated 550,000 taking to the streets.
In the French Capital, Paris, there were heavy clashes into the evening with riot police, who used tear gas and water cannon against crowds.
Buildings were set ablaze in Paris alongside other areas, including in Limoges where an enormous fire in the town hall caused the roof to partly collapse.
In several cities in the country, looting broke out with widespread vandalism targeting city halls and businesses also reported.
Trump said, people who come from “entirely different world” are “immigrating” into France, adding, they have “hatred in their hearts”.
He said, they have “shattered” France, a country he described as a “once great country”. Trump advised, “close your borders and take control”.
Sébastien Lecornu, Prime Minister, said, more than 100 Police Officers have sustained injuries due to the unrest in the country.
Groups set fire in the streets and torched vehicles, encompassing in iconic spots in the city centre like the Place de la République.
Shops were plundered, and at least, one restaurant was gutted by fire.
President Trump posted: “France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country. Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!”
In the Central region of the French Capital, riot Police were seen charging at a crowd and striking several people with batons.
Tourist Office in the city of Lyon was set ablaze. Mayor Grégory Doucet reacted, the burning of the Office was “a tragedy”. Speaking to BFMTV, he said, “it breaks our hearts because it’s a very iconic, well-known historic building”.
According to Local Police, “hostile individuals” hindered firefighters from safely fighting the blaze.
Fire crews also tackled the fire at Limoges town hall, which the local prefecture said resulted to the collapse of part of the building.
Students in their Hundreds of thousands have protested in recent weeks over staff shortages and dilapidated facilities in the country’s lycées – secondary schools attended by 15- to 18-year-olds.
The Interior Ministry of France said Saturday’s protests involved “targeted acts of violence” from “hooded individuals” in places, including parts of the capital and also Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.
Across France, damage to structures was reported, including in Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence.
