French police made nearly 200 arrests in the opening hours of a planned nationwide protest movement on Wednesday (September 10, 2025). Demonstrators blocked roads, lit fires, and clashed with officers in Paris and other cities, prompting police to respond with volleys of tear gas.

The protests, part of the so-called “Block Everything” campaign, aimed to ramp up pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and give newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu what organizers called a “baptism of fire.”

Although the movement fell short of its stated goal to bring the country to a standstill, it caused significant disruption in multiple regions. Authorities said hotspots of unrest appeared despite the deployment of 80,000 police officers nationwide, who dismantled barricades and made swift arrests.

The demonstrations, which gained traction online over the summer, reflect growing discontent over Macron’s government policies and are expected to continue in the coming weeks.