French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris on Saturday, as thousands gathered in the capital and beyond and staged road blockades to vent anger against rising fuel taxes.
Thousands of police were deployed nationwide to contain the eighth day of demonstrations in which two people have been killed since they started Nov. 17 as protests against tax. But the demonstrations have quickly morphed into a rebuke of President Emmanuel Macron’s tenure and the perceived elitism of the French ruling class.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, but 18 were detained for various acts including for “throwing projectiles,” Paris police told The Associated Press.

“It’s going to trigger a civil war and me, like most other citizens, we’re all ready,” said Benjamin Vrignaud, a 21-year-old protester from Chartres.

“They take everything from us. They steal everything from us,” said 21-year-old Laura Cordonnier.

Taxes on diesel fuel have gone up seven euro cents (nearly eight U.S. cents) and are to keep climbing in the coming years, Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne has said. The tax on gasoline is to increase 4 euro cents. Gasoline currently costs about 1.64 euros a liter in Paris ($7.06 a gallon), slightly more than diesel.

“When tax is no longer agreed to, it’s the start of revolutions in France,” far left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon told BFMTV.

I love how the rioters are all, by and large, wearing safety reflective vests. Hey, doesn't matter if you're going to burn cars in front of the Arc d'Triomphe, safety first!

Philippe is to announce a suspension of fuel tax hikes, a major U-turn in an effort to appease a protest movement that has radicalized, French media reported Tuesday.

Both Le Monde newspaper and France Info radio said the planned increase, which has provoked riots, will be suspended for several months. Philippe is also expected to announce other measures aimed at easing tensions, just three weeks after claiming that the government would not change course and remained determined to help wean French consumers off polluting fossils fuels.


Philippe will make an announcement later Tuesday to legislators from President Emmanuel Macron’s party. There was no immediate comment from his office Tuesday morning.

It’s unlikely Philippe’s announcement will put an end to the road blockades and demonstrations, with more possible protests this weekend in Paris.

“It’s a first step, but we will not settle for a crumb,” said Benjamin Cauchy, one of the leaders of the protests.

After a third consecutive weekend of clashes in Paris led by protesters wearing distinctive yellow traffic vests, Philippe held crisis talks with representatives of major political parties on Monday. He also met with Macron and other ministers in order to find a quick solution to the crisis.

Facing the most serious street protests since his election in May 2017, Macron has canceled a two-day trip to Serbia to stay in France this week.

Too late, the French already surrendered their balls long ago. These riots are meaningless when their populace is disarmed. Hell, Macron straight up said he's not going to allow a EU leave referendum because he thinks it would pass. And his approval rating is 25%. And he's still there...