Smashed storefronts, burned buildings: France wakes up to aftermath of violent protests

The French city of Lyon woke up on Sunday to devastated streets, smashed storefronts, and burnt buildings. The aftermath of violent demonstrations against the rising cost of living that swept France. More than half a million people joined Saturday's nationwide protests. Cities including Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Limoges and Nice saw clashes between protesters and police, mass looting and fires. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned what he called the extreme intensity of the violence. He said 1,200 people had been arrested and 150 police officers hurt. The widespread unrest follows weeks of student protests and comes just six months ahead of presidential elections. Without evidence, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance blamed immigration and what he called problems of assimilation for the unrest. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen claimed that the party of her far-left rival for the presidency, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, had legitimized the violence. Mélenchon, who had supported the demonstrations, urged people to stay away from any looting, describing it as contrary to our methods.