France protests: Trump blames riots on immigration; 1,800 arrested, damage estimated at hundreds of millions of euros

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (October 18th) blamed immigration for the unrest that has gripped France and called on the country to tighten border controls as violent protests saw at least 1,800 people arrested, hundreds of businesses damaged and losses estimated at several hundred million euros.

“France is burning! The immigration of people from a completely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has broken this once great country,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. “Close your borders and take control before it’s too late!”

Trump’s remarks came the day after the US Vice President JD Vance also blamed immigration and diversity policies for the violence. But French authorities have not linked immigrants to the unrest, attributing some of the violence to radical far-left groups and others who joined the demonstrations to loot shops.

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The protests began in September when students demonstrated over staff shortages, insufficient school resources and deteriorating conditions in schools. They spread with anger over the rising cost of living, inequality and the decline of public services.

French authorities said at least 1,800 people were arrested across the country. Paris police announced 855 arrests in the capital region.

Damage to French retailers was estimated at several hundred million euros, with approximately 1,500 retail stores directly affected. Fires, looting and damage were also reported to public buildings and other places.

French authorities estimated that around 550,000 people demonstrated across the country. The organizers estimate the participation at around 800,000.

No. Trump has blamed the unrest on immigration, but French authorities have not linked immigrants to the unrest. They attributed some of the violence to radical far-left groups and others who joined the demonstrations and looted shops.

wrote Vance in a social media post: “Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored basic issues of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to it and they didn’t listen. I pray that France, a beautiful country of wonderful people, stops this madness before it burns down more of its landmarks. And I hope your future democrats pay attention to your country.”

The unrest has increased pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets to protest rising living costs, inequality, deteriorating public services and poor school conditions.

According to French authorities, around 550,000 people took part in the demonstrations across the country, while organizers put the figure at around 800,000. More than 500 police, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said.

France protests: The damage is estimated at hundreds of millions of euros

Demonstrations turned violent in several cities on Saturday, with masked groups setting fires, attacking public buildings, clashing with police and looting businesses.

Alexandre Bompard, CEO of Carrefour and president of the Federation of Trade and Distribution, estimated that around 1,500 retail stores were directly affected, according to Ukrinform. Damage to French retailers was estimated at several hundred million euros.

Businesses affected included supermarkets, clothing stores, sports retailers, luxury boutiques and mobile phone stores. Looting and damage was reported in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes and Nice, among others.

In Bordeaux, Mayor Thomas Cazenave said up to 100 shops had been looted. The mayor of Marseille, Benoit Payan, announced extraordinary financial aid for businesses affected by the violence.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire announced the creation of an emergency unit to help businesses assess damage.

“The extent of the damage is significant and unprecedented,” Grégoire wrote in an open letter, adding that the French capital must remain a place where people can demonstrate freely while ensuring that businesses can operate safely.

The damage extended beyond commercial establishments. In Limoges, a city in central France, a 19th-century town hall caught fire, causing its roof to collapse.

France protests: What sparked the demonstrations?

The protests began in September when students at a high school in Créteil, southeast of Paris, demonstrated against staff shortages and deteriorating conditions in their schools.

The movement subsequently spread to other Parisian suburbs and cities across France, with students organizing class strikes, blockades and demonstrations. Hundreds of schools were reportedly forced to close due to damage or attacks on staff.

Students complain of undersized schools, dilapidated buildings and teacher shortages, especially in low-income neighborhoods. French media reports highlighted problems including leaking roofs, damaged furniture, collapsed ceilings and rodent infestations.

Some students also expressed concerns about classrooms becoming unbearably hot during the summer heat and cold in the winter due to inadequate equipment. Long school days and what students see as an unfair or complicated college admissions system have added to their grievances.

The demonstrations have since spread beyond education, gaining support from people angry about the rising cost of living, inequality, cuts in public spending and deteriorating public services.

The General Confederation of Labor (CGT), one of France’s largest trade unions, supported the protests and called for lower prices and higher wages and pensions.

This convergence of student anger and broader economic discontent helped transform a movement originally focused on school conditions into nationwide demonstrations involving hundreds of thousands of people.

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Protests in France turn violent as police arrest 1,800 people

Although many demonstrations remained peaceful, violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, looted shops and attacked police and vehicles.

Police used tear gas and water cannons in Paris, where protesters threw rocks and fireworks. Violent incidents were also reported in Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse, Angers and other cities.

In Marseille, protesters stormed the town hall and painted an anarchist symbol on the wall. In Lyon, protesters set fire to the city’s tourism office.

French authorities said at least 1,800 people were arrested across the country. Paris police reported 855 arrests in the capital region alone, while the Paris prosecutor’s office said 557 people were being held in police custody.

Vandalized storefronts, broken glass, loose paving stones and charred wheels marked the aftermath around Paris’ Place de la République and other shopping and tourist areas on Sunday morning.

Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez he defended the right to peaceful demonstrations while condemning violence.

“The right to protest is a fundamental right. Deliberately and collectively sowing disorder by force is not,” he wrote on X, pointing to the looting of businesses in several major cities.

Macron calls an emergency meeting

Macron was due to hold an emergency meeting with senior government officials on Sunday afternoon before addressing the nation at 8pm, according to his office.

The unrest has put the French government under pressure to respond to both the immediate violence and underlying complaints about education, the cost of living and public services.

Read also | France Protests: Cars Burned, Shops Looted, Police Arrest 272 Protesters