Thousands take to the streets in France for the fifth Saturday in a row: Police use tear gas and charge at crowds during anti-government protests

Detailed summary

Around 106,000 people took to the streets nationwide on Saturday in cities including Paris for the so-called Act V demonstrations.

Published: 19:11 GMT, 14 November 2026 | Updated: 19:38 GMT, 14 November 2026

Police fired tear gas and charged at demonstrators today to disperse crowds of tens of thousands during anti-government protests across France.

Around 106,000 people took to the streets nationwide on Saturday in cities including Paris for the so-called Act V demonstrations.

More than 120 people were arrested during the fifth consecutive Saturday of mass protests, which have sent shockwaves across the country.

Crowds gathered to jeer at police and demand the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron, whose popularity has slumped to its lowest level since 2017.

Footage shot in Paris showed a riot-control unit battling with youngsters close to Place de la Nation, on the eastern side of Paris, towards the end of a march.

Meanwhile, armoured officers were seen chasing protesters through the streets of France, striking demonstrators with batons as clashes escalated.

Trade union activist Remi Durand said: 'The police were ridiculously heavy handed - they were attacking anyone they could find with their weapons.'

The protests were originally sparked by anger over a rise in fuel taxes and the cost of living, before broadening into a wider movement against Mr Macron's government and his economic policies.

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