Clashes at protests in France and Belgium as police use tear gas and water cannon

Police used tear gas and water cannon during protests in French and Belgian cities on Saturday, as demonstrations against public-service cuts and social inequality turned violent in Paris and Brussels. [1]

The protests have been taking place for weeks, with demonstrators opposing cuts to education and other public services, as well as wider social inequality, according to the report. [1]

In Paris, 61 people were arrested after clashes with riot police, the Belgian broadcaster VRT reported. A Le Parisien journalist wrote on X that demonstrators threw projectiles, fireworks and explosives at officers. Tear gas was also used at a protest in Marseille. [1]

In Brussels, more than 500 demonstrators clashed with police. Officers used tear gas and a water cannon, pushing the crowd back towards Brussels-South station, the designated protest area. A demonstration in Liège was still peaceful at the time of the report. [1]