L’Acte VIII

In major cities throughout France, over 50,000 people came together on Saturday for L’Acte 8 (act 8), the eighth week of protests against Emmanuel Macron’s government and the country’s rising wealth gap. About 3,500 mobilized in Paris near the Champs-Elysées.

Protesters face off against riot police.

Yellow vest protesters treat a woman suffering from tear gas exposure near Musee D’Orsay in Paris.

Yellow vest protesters gather outside Musee D’Orsay in Paris.

A Parisian riot cop walks past graffiti on his way to confront protesters.

I joined the protests around 2pm outside Musee D’Orsay, where riot police were already clashing with demonstrators. I read that much of the morning had been relatively calm, but it certainly wasn’t when I arrived.

A protester navigates their way through a barrage of tear gas outside Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

I’d never run so hard at a protest before this one. At times the riot police chased us on foot for blocks, sometimes through streets too narrow and crowded to escape. Between my heavy camera backpack and weak knees, I ran past my limit, trying not to breathe in tear gas, praying I wouldn’t trip.

A protesters navigate their way through a barrage of tear gas outside Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

Street medics administer eye drops  to help alleviate burning from the tear gas.

Demonstrators march from Musee d’Orsay through Rue du Bac in Paris, carrying flares.

Demonstrators march from Musee d’Orsay through Rue du Bac in Paris, carrying flares.

Demonstrators march from Musee d’Orsay through Rue du Bac in Paris, carrying flares.

A demonstrator carries a French flag through the streets of Paris.

Parisian firefighters put out a street fire set by protesters near Sainte-Clotilde Catholic Church.

Parisian firefighters put out a street fire set by protesters near Sainte-Clotilde Catholic Church.

What remains of a municipal waste bin and electric scooter lie along Quai d’Orsay during demonstrations in Paris.

Demonstrators wave to a tour bus while marching towards l’Arc de triomphe

A demonstrator pushes a shopping cart full of rocks through Jardin des Tuileries.

Demonstrators and passers-by dodge tear gas in Paris’s 7th arrondissement.

Christmas trees burn along Rue Fabert in Paris.

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