French police again clash with protesters as demonstrations spread across cities

French police fired tear gas and clashed with some protesters on Saturday as thousands marched across France in largely peaceful demonstrations against soaring living costs and police violence, CBS News reports. Police said about 70,000 people demonstrated in Paris alone, while the interior ministry said about 320,000 rallied nationwide.

Officers had made 27 arrests by 2:00 p.m., compared with 217 a week ago. In Lyon, people threw projectiles at police, prompting tear gas, while police in Toulouse used water cannon against an unauthorised protest. In Lille, 47-year-old Aurelie Herrmann danced at the protest. “I dance because on television they only show damage and destruction, whereas you can perfectly well demonstrate in good spirits,” she said.

An aide to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Friday police had prepared for street violence on a scale “comparable” to unrest two weeks ago. The demonstrations come with presidential elections less than six months away and far-right leader Marine Le Pen leading the polls.