RT reporter tear-gassed covering protests:
The night descending on Paris has brought no ease of tensions over fuel price hikes. 'Yellow Vest' protesters set more barricades ablaze, turning the French capital into a kind of war zone.
The filmed scenes resembled street battles, with rioters engaging in scuffles with police, which struggled to bring the situation under control.
The video shows brazen protesters setting barricades and tents on fire, as well as riot police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. People have been venting their anger for the past two weeks over rising fuel prices and a government-proposed fuel tax, which is due to come into force in January 2019.
RT's Charlotte Dubenskij and her crew were caught in the midst of tear gas salvos on protesters in Paris. Law enforcement and demonstrators once again engaged in 'street battles' during rallies against fuel price hikes.Every revolution needs an icon:
The chaotic scene unfolded as a large group of protesters attempted to get near Elysee Palace by entering a street leading directly to the French president's residence. Police pushed back by using tear gas.
Thick clouds of white gas filled the streets, forcing the protesters to retreat. Some, however, apparently tried to resist and erect barricades.
The RT crew covering the events was "pushed up the streets into the tear gas and into the protesters" by the police. "It is really absolutely crazy on the streets of Paris," Dubenskij said."I have a bit of difficulty opening my eyes right now because we have just been in the midst of all this tear gas. It makes your eyes red and it is really hard to open them. At this moment, they are just burning uncontrollably."Paris saw massive riots on Saturday as thousands of people took to the streets to vent their anger over rising fuel prices and a planned fuel tax.
As the "gilets jaunes" ("yellow vests") protests against rising fuel prices - but also President Emmanuel Macron and his unpopular efforts to overhaul France - turned violent on Saturday, the crowd found their hero.© Sputnik France/Screenshot
He did not have the martyr-like visage of Che Guevara, he was not wearing a superhero cape - in fact, he wasn't wearing much at all. It's unclear when this protestor decided to strip down to his waist, or if he brought his swimming goggles with him from home to the Champs Elysees.
Yet here he was, rolls of fat juddering, the tattooed dragon on his chest twisting furiously, as the man strutted, crying obscenities at the unmoving cops, challenging the water cannon to smite him. Finally, the police obliged. As the column of cold water was about to strike his chest, he did not flinch, but lowered himself down on one knee, and spread out his arms like a Gallic Jesus.
"I shall not tremble, for my strength comes from truth," he may have been saying, though the camera microphones were not powerful enough to pick up his actual words.
And just as he seemed on the verge of summoning the divine retribution to reverse the unequal contest... an old 'piano' rolled into view.
Comment: