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YELLOW Vest protesters enraged by tycoons’ £1billion pledge to restore Notre Dame clashed with police today in Paris.

Fires were set across the French capital by yellow vest protesters over accusations the government has not met their demands.

A protester lies on the ground during clashes with police on April 20 in Paris
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A protester lies on the ground during clashes with police on April 20 in ParisCredit: AFP or licensors
A protester throws a scooter onto a pile of burning motorbikes in Paris today
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A protester throws a scooter onto a pile of burning motorbikes in Paris todayCredit: AP:Associated Press
A protester wearing a sign reading 'Macron, our French drama' in reference to the fire that devastated the Notre Dame
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A protester wearing a sign reading 'Macron, our French drama' in reference to the fire that devastated the Notre DameCredit: AFP or licensors

Today was the 23rd Saturday in a row of protests as authorities warned rioters would spark a new wave of violence

Black-hooded demonstrators threw rocks at police, and motorcycles and scooters were set alight.

Police responded by firing tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades.

Some cops tried to control the crowd by funnelling demonstrators to Place de la Republique, which is where they were authorised to be.

Protesters are against Emmanuel Macron’s government because they believe it favours the wealthy and big business.

They see themselves as standing up for the working class, students and retirees who have have been struck with high unemployment, high taxes and shrinking purchasing power.

Protesters burn scooters during the demonstrations in Paris today
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Protesters burn scooters during the demonstrations in Paris todayCredit: Getty - Contributor
A Yellow Vest holds a sign that reads 'we can also burn' in French
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A Yellow Vest holds a sign that reads 'we can also burn' in FrenchCredit: Getty - Contributor
A yellow vest demonstrator walks through smoke canisters in Paris
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A yellow vest demonstrator walks through smoke canisters in ParisCredit: Getty Images - Getty

CHAOS IN THE CAPITAL

Authorities detained more than 200 people this afternoon and spot checks were carried out on more than 20,000 trying to get to Paris to protest.

About 60,000 police were deployed across the city.

The world watched as the capital’s iconic cathedral was damaged following a fire that toppled its spire and destroyed much of the 850-year-old Gothic roof on April 15.

In the days following the blaze, £1billion was raised by the world’s wealthiest - leaving many furious.

Protester Jose Fraile said today: “I think what happened at Notre Dame is a great tragedy but humans should be more important than stones.”

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Macron had been scheduled to lay out his responses to yellow vest concerns on Monday night tax cuts for lower-income households and measures to boost pensions and help single parents but cancelled the speech after the Notre Dame fire broke out

He is now set to make the speech next Thursday.

The Yellow Vest protests started in November over a rise in fuel taxes and expanded to cover a broad list of economic complaints like high taxes and stagnant wages.

A Gilet Jaune in front of a burning barricade
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A Gilet Jaune in front of a burning barricadeCredit: Getty - Contributor
Protesters burning trash bins and motorcyles on the streets of Paris
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Protesters burning trash bins and motorcyles on the streets of ParisCredit: Getty Images - Getty
A Yellow Vest protester through a tear gas canister back to police
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A Yellow Vest protester through a tear gas canister back to policeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Protesters take shelter behind wooden panels during clashes with police
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Protesters take shelter behind wooden panels during clashes with policeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Police officers move along a yellow vest demonstrator in the Bercy neighbourhood of Paris
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Police officers move along a yellow vest demonstrator in the Bercy neighbourhood of ParisCredit: Getty Images - Getty
A protester in wheelchair sits amid tear gas during clashes with police
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A protester in wheelchair sits amid tear gas during clashes with policeCredit: AFP or licensors
The cathedral's spire was destroyed in the fire
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The cathedral's spire was destroyed in the fireCredit: EPA
Notre Dame's spire: before and after
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Notre Dame's spire: before and afterCredit: AFP or licensors

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