90 Arrested, 30 Metro Stations Closed Amid Huge Protests in Paris

French police fired tear gas and arrested dozens of protesters on Saturday. The police dispersed many protests in Paris as "yellow vest" protesters were attempting to stage unauthorized rallies in central Paris.

The French capital, Paris, is now witnessing a massive police presence as it feared yellow-vest supporters would take advantage of authorized protests over climate change and pension reform to cause disruption.

Some 7,500 police were mobilized at several districts and more than 30 metro stations closed.

[caption id="attachment_80018" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] People attend a protest urging authorities to take emergency measures against climate change, in Paris, France, September 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau[/caption]

Approximately 90 protesters were arrested in Paris, while around one hundred protesters were pushed back as they were attempting to gather on the Champs-Elysees shopping avenue.

The yellow vest protesters, named after motorists' high-visibility jackets, were holding a 45th consecutive Saturday of action and seeking to revive participation in demonstrations that have sometimes turned violent.

[caption id="attachment_80017" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] French gendarme and police are pictured during a demonstration on Act 44 (the 44th consecutive national protest on Saturday) of the yellow vests movement in Nantes, France, September 14, 2019. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe[/caption]

The movement emerged late last year, triggered by fuel tax rises and swelling into a revolt against President Emmanuel Macron's style of government.

In March, a Paris court sentenced one of the leaders of the yellow vest protests Eric Drouet to a 2,000-euro fine, for organizing two unauthorized protests on Dec. 22 and Jan. 2.

“A fine of two thousand euros, of which 500 euros is suspended”, Drouet’s lawyer Kheops Lara told reporters.

Lara said he regretted the court’s decision, adding that he intends to protest the sentence.

[caption id="attachment_80019" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] A molotov cocktail explodes in front of a French gendarme during a demonstration on Act 44 (the 44th consecutive national protest on Saturday) of the yellow vests movement in Nantes, France, September 14, 2019. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe[/caption]

“This is fine, I think, will damage the image of France and the French justice”, the lawyer said.

France's annual heritage weekend, a very popular event with many cultural sites open to the public, is also taking place.

Parisians and tourists were queuing to visit landmark and government buildings, including the presidential palace and Macron's office. The public could only access the Elysée after having pre-registered and passing security checks.

[caption id="attachment_80016" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Tear gas floats in the air as protesters clash with French gendarme during a demonstration on Act 44 (the 44th consecutive national protest on Saturday) of the yellow vests movement in Nantes, France, September 14, 2019. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe[/caption]

Some other monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe that suffered damage during a yellow vest protest last December, will remain closed to the public so the busy police don't have to deal with it.