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Police Contain 'Bloquons Tout' Protests Across France With Hundreds Detained

A judicial inquiry pointing to a police tear-gas grenade in the Châtelet fire intensifies scrutiny of tactics before the 18 September union mobilisation.

Overview

  • Authorities counted roughly 175,000 to 250,000 participants and 850 actions nationwide, including 596 rallies and 253 attempted blockades.
  • Paris police reported no successful blockages in the capital after an intelligence-led operation and a deployment widely reported at about 80,000 officers and gendarmes.
  • The Interior Ministry reported 675 arrests and 549 people placed in custody nationwide, with 34 members of the security forces lightly injured.
  • Prosecutors opened an investigation into the Châtelet restaurant blaze, with early findings indicating a police-fired tear-gas grenade likely ignited the fire; no injuries were reported.
  • Localized incidents included clashes near the Hélène-Boucher lycée in Paris, a burned bus in Rennes, and rail cable damage in Lot-et-Garonne, while next-day university blockades were quickly cleared and planning advanced for 18 September.