The Saturday gathering of "yellow vests" in Angers, composed of about 2,500 people, ended with violence after having begun peacefully, said an AFP photographer. Four people were arrested, said the prefecture, indicating to count a few minor injuries among the police and also mentioning two protesters inconvenienced by the emanations of tear gas.
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"Many degradations". The prefecture also mentions an attempted fire against the Banque de France and damage to the tramway site. The protesters also set fire to barricades, including construction equipment, the photographer observed. "Tonight, I have a feeling of anger and nausea," said in a statement the mayor of Angers, Christophe Béchu (ex-LR), reporting "very many degradations" in the city center and denouncing "an unacceptable turning point" in the movement of "yellow vests".
For his part, Matthieu Orphelin, LREM deputy from Maine-et-Loire, announced suspending his trade with the "yellow vests" because of this violence. "Most of the yellow vests did not immediately dissociate themselves from this violence and many remained where the situation degenerated, despite the commitments made.The security perimeter was not respected, despite the commitments made," he said. he commented in a statement.
Frictions. For much of the afternoon, however, the rally had been peaceful. At the end of the afternoon, the police had scattered with teargas grenades and water cannon "yellow vests" that sought to approach the prefecture, had noted the photographer. The event in Angers was announced as an event for the entire Pays-de-la-Loire region. But another rally brought together between 800 and 900 "yellow vests" in Nantes, according to the prefecture of Loire-Atlantique. Eight people were arrested, the same source said, citing "some friction" with the forces that order.