# Police use tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds in French cities

https://mins.news/en/video/105106

- CNA, 2026-10-18 12:28 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhIri9f6808

> French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to address the nation, a day after one of the country's worst episodes of unrest. Police have arrested about 1,800 people after mostly peaceful, student-led rallies turned into clashes. More than half a million people reportedly took to the streets on Oct. 17. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds; some protesters threw projectiles, started fires to block roads and damaged tram shelters, while masked groups smashed shop windows.

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