French Protests RebootThe number of demonstrators and acts of violence picked up again this weekend, right before the official sales period.

[Collection]PARIS – The Yellow Vest antigovernment movement gained momentum again during the post-holiday season, with the number of demonstrators rebounding and violent incidents on the uptick Saturday, including an attack on a government ministry building and the assault of a police officer in Paris. In what’s been called “Act VIII” of the movement, more than 3,000 people demonstrated in the French capital on Saturday. Overall in France, the turnout was 50,000, versus 29,000 on Dec. 29 and more than 250,000 on Nov. 17. The demonstrations that began two months ago as a protest over gas taxes snarled holiday shopping, denting retailers’ revenues in the run-up to Christmas. If ongoing, they will continue to dampen consumer sentiment during the official sales period, which kicks off in most of the nation on Wednesday. On Saturday, the tony Avenue des Champs-Élysées, lined with stores such as Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Sephora, was closed for hours, as was the bridge leading to the National Assembly, among other locations. Protesters and casseurs (or breakers) broke into a Left Bank government building on the Rue de Grenelle, causing Benjamin-Blaise Griveaux, the French government’s chief spokesperson, to be evacuated. Clashes also took place in areas of the French capital, including near

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