French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (L) gives a press conference, on March 18, 2019 at the Matignon hotel in Paris, to announce measures after weekend riots. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP) (Photo credit should read BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images)
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced Monday that "Yellow Vest" demonstrations will no longer be allowed in the Champs Elysees after protesters caused chaos in the tourist-heavy area over the weekend.
The Champs Elysees is not the only area where demonstrations will be banned moving forward. Protesters will not be permitted to gather in many of the neighborhoods that have been most impacted in Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse by "Yellow Vest" activists for an unspecified period of time, Philippe said Monday. He also added that Paris police chief Michel Dulpuech will be replaced this week by prefect Didier Lallement.
Violent clashes erupted again Saturday as part of continuing protests by activists rebelling against Macron's government. Saturday marked the 18th straight week of protests held by the "Yellow Vests," who started the movement which began to demand fuel tax cuts but has since morphed into an expression of general discontent about the disparity between the country's working and elite classes.
The burning of famed restaurant Fouquet's on the Avenue Champs Elysees on Saturday was meant to be an attack on the French elite, Reuters reported, citing local papers. The landmark eatery is located next door to the Louis Vuitton flagship store on a coveted corner in the French capital.
Paris famed restaurant Fouquet's burns on the Champs Elysees avenue during a yellow vests demonstration Saturday, March 16, 2019 in Paris. Paris police say more than 100 people have been arrested amid rioting in the French capital by yellow vest protesters and clashes with police. They set life-threatening fires, smashed up luxury stores and clashed with police firing tear gas and water cannon (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
FRANCE'S YELLOW VESTS HIT STREETS FOR 17TH TIME, PROTEST AT PARIS AIRPORT AS NUMBERS DWINDLE
An official with the president's office said that the explosive demonstration on Saturday had prompted Macron to consider banning protesting in the tourist-heavy area.
At least 100 people were arrested as police deployed tear gas and used a water cannon to disperse angry crowds on Saturday, Reuters reported. In addition to the fire at Fouquet's, another large bank was burned on the ground floor of a seven-story residential building, which prompted the evacuation of the structure's tenants and the rescue of a mother and young child, according to Reuters.
Eleven people, including two firefighters, reportedly sustained light injuries there.
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On Monday, Macron called a meeting with interior and justice ministers. He has called for "strong measures" to be taken to prevent further rioting next weekend.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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