In comparison, HK police not violent with protesters at all

Yellow vest protesters took to the streets across France during the past weekend for the 45th consecutive week, in opposition to the policies of President Emmanuel Macron.

While more than 10,000 people participated in the demonstrations, 7,500 police officers poured in and armored vehicles arrived to quell any threats by the movement.

Police in riot gear dispersed the protesters, using tear gas on and around the Champs-Elysees Avenue, Saint-Lazare Train Station and Madeleine Plaza.

As of Saturday night, police said 163 people had been arrested, since some protesters set life-threatening fires, smashed up stores and clashed with the police.

"We are being treated like criminals," said a woman protester, who identified herself as Brigitte, according to msn.com.

Since the yellow vest protest movement began in Paris in November, it has resulted in 11 deaths and over 2,000 people injured, including 95 journalists, according to recent reports by the French Mediapart website.

At least 23 demonstrators have also lost their eyesight, all consequences of police action, according to Grenville Cross, senior counsel as well as a law professor and criminal justice analyst.

Also on Saturday, radical protesters brought violence and vandalism to Hong Kong's MTR stations and shopping malls, as the city was roiled by anti-government protests for the 16th week.