The French president has blamed far-left activists for the violence. An alleged rioter in France was seen desperately trying to remove his sweatpants after they caught fire during protests over the weekend. The man is seen pulling his flaming jogger bottoms down as he runs along the street. He then sits down on the pavement as other people come to his rescue – at first trying to stamp on the flames, then removing his sweatpants. The incident played out as at least 2,400 were arrested following a wave of riots and looting during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. Emmanuel Macron on Sunday voiced the public’s “anger” and “shame” over the unrest. The French president echoed other government officials in blaming much of the violence on far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos. “Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” he said in a televised address to the nation. He denounced “unrestrained violence” by “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.” Mr Macron earlier held an emergency meeting with senior government officials, a day after masked groups set fires and attacked city halls in several cities. He said he had instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary. Flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall in the city of Limoges, in central France, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building. #5News #france #fire #protest - @c5news