Macron vows prosecution of those responsible for French protest violence

French President Emmanuel Macron said on October 17 that people responsible for destruction and looting during nationwide protests would be prosecuted and punished.

Writing on X, he cited attacks on prefectures, shops and town halls. He also expressed support for security forces safeguarding the right to demonstrate.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez's provisional evening tally put arrests nationwide at about 400. He estimated participation at 550,000, including 110,000 in Paris.