More than 140,000 rally as new protests against rising costs sweep France

Tear gas fired in Paris and Lyon as interior minister warns authorities are ‘ready and waiting’ for rioters and looters. Tens of thousands of people have protested across France for a fourth consecutive weekend, in another show of anger against the government. About 146,000 people rallied across the country to protest against the rising cost of living on Saturday, including 46,000 in Paris, the Ministry of the Interior said.

About 70,000 security personnel were deployed across the country on Saturday, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warning that authorities would be “ready and waiting” for anyone engaging in rioting or looting. Clashes broke out between police and some protesters in the capital, Paris, despite a lower turnout than in previous weeks. Footage posted online by the CLPRESS news agency showed police charging at protesters and using tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

A police officer was also seen hitting a protester with a baton.