French authorities impose curfews after weekend rioting

Geoff Bennett:

We start the day's other headlines in France.

Curfews are in effect in parts of Paris and other cities, as authorities there try to restore order after widespread rioting this past weekend. Government officials have acknowledged what they call failures in their handling of the unrest and say an investigation is under way to track down those responsible.

Special correspondent Ross Cullen reports now from Paris.

Ross Cullen:

Violence flaring on the streets of cities across France, looting, arson, rioting, vandalism. Over the weekend, the country suffered the worst unrest in years. Shops were looted, tear gas and water cannon fired, blazes started in multiple cities. More than 2,000 people were arrested as parts of some cities went out of control.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, addressed the nation on Sunday.

Emmanuel Macron, French President (through interpreter):

Yesterday, despite their professionalism, our law enforcement officers were subjected to extraordinary violence on several occasions in many cities.

Ross Cullen:

This is the aftermath of that violence, debris still smoldering and the smell of burnt metal in the air, vehicles gutted after being set alight on the street, broken glass all over the sidewalks.

Well, this restaurant you can see behind me was one of at least three thousand businesses across the nation which were either damaged or ransacked during the violence over the weekend. The unrest took hold after the mass nationwide protests on October the 17th.

More than 600,000 people took part in peaceful rallies across the country, a convergence of different protest movements demonstrating against high gas prices, rising inflation, and underinvestment in public services. But the unrest that took hold after the demonstrations was unprecedented.

The French prime minister said he would use all necessary measures to restore order.

Sebastien Lecornu, French Prime Minister (through interpreter):

I know that a state of emergency is not a political tool. It's a complex matter, including its implementation. So, if it becomes necessary, of course we could do it. Currently, curfews and their implementation seems more appropriate to the current situation.

Ross Cullen:

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. And, on Monday, tourists were caught up as a new protest blocked access to the Louvre Museum.

Chris Velenik, Tourist From Pennsylvania:

We hope that the governments can do better with the education. I think that's important. I think that's important everywhere, in our country too, in the United States. So, I mean, there are legitimate complaints here.

And we have to take them seriously. And if it inconveniences people, it's a shame. But that's what has to happen, I guess.

Ross Cullen:

The political ramifications are already widening just six months out from a presidential election. The government blames the far left, which accused the police of brutality. The far right says Macron's statement was a terrible confession of impotence.

And the Yellow Vest anti-government movement that is calling for lower fuel prices says it plans an act ii to its protests next weekend, so France may have to brace for further trouble ahead.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Ross Cullen in Paris.