Chaos broke out in Paris overnight as protesters took to the streets, setting fires, barricading roads, and clashing with law enforcement in an anti-government demonstration.

The “Bloquons Tout” (Block Everything) movement originated online and has garnered support from various political factions demanding President Emmanuel Macron’s resignation. Demonstrators are angered by austerity measures, such as budget cuts and pension reforms, aimed at saving €43.8 billion.

Tensions heightened following the removal of Prime Minister François Bayrou and the appointment of Sébastien Lecornu, marking the third leadership change within a year. Despite President Macron’s approval rating plummeting to 15%, he appointed Lecornu as the new PM on September 9, dismissing calls for fresh elections and stating, “To be free in this world, you have to be feared.”

In response to the unrest, the government deployed 80,000 officers nationwide to quell the protests targeting crucial infrastructure and resulting in violent confrontations.

During the demonstrations, Paris witnessed disturbing incidents of anti-Muslim sentiment, including the discovery of pigs’ heads outside multiple mosques in the region, prompting widespread condemnation from political figures in France.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the “outrageous” acts and expressed support for peaceful religious practices among Muslim citizens.

The scenes included protesters setting up fires, using barriers to block roads, clashes with law enforcement, and demonstrations in key areas of the city center, with some individuals resorting to throwing objects to block roads.