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Violence Erupts at Aurillac Street-Theatre Festival Opening, Eight Police Injured

Prosecutors have opened an investigation pledging to refer identified suspects to court.

Overview

  • Clashes broke out minutes after a tagger was arrested in front of a bank, quickly drawing a crowd in the city center.
  • Roughly 300 people, including about 60 masked activists described by officials as black blocs, hurled paving stones, built barricades, and set trash-bin fires.
  • Damage includes shattered shop windows and bus shelters, with firefighters protecting by police extinguishing several small blazes.
  • CRS used tear gas to push back the most violent groups, additional riot units were deployed, and the festival is continuing under reinforced security through August 23.
  • Eight police officers were reported lightly injured, no arrests or custodial detentions have been made, and the mayor estimated public-space damage at €20,000 to €30,000 with no injuries reported among festivalgoers.