Michel Dietlin, center, stands with musicians of the orchestra outside the Palais Garnier opera house after performing Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Paris. As some strikers return to work, with notable improvements for train services that have been severely disrupted for weeks, more radical protesters are trying to keep the movement going. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
The Associated Press
PARIS (AP) - A French government minister warned that seditious groups bent on violence were hijacking the protest movement against pension reform that has gripped the country, after a fire Saturday damaged a renowned Paris restaurant patronized by President Emmanuel Macron.
The Paris fire service said the pre-dawn blaze that singed a corner of the La Rotonde eatery was quickly extinguished. The Paris prosecutor's office launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
Marlene Schiappa, the government's secretary of state for equality, said the blaze 'œprobably'ť resulted from a criminal act. She described a climate in France 'œof hate and of violence that is quite incredible,'ť citing the restaurant fire among a list of examples.
'œSeditious groups want the law of '~might is right' to reign, to impose violence on all people who think differently from them," Schiappa said on French news channel BFM-TV. 'œIt is very alarming and unworthy of a democracy like France.'ť
After six weeks of labor strikes and nationwide protests against government plans to overhaul France's pension system, there are mounting signs of splits within the movement. As some strikers return to work and train services that have been severely disrupted by walkouts see notable improvements, more radical protesters are trying to keep the movement going.
A protest march through Paris ended after dark Saturday with police firing tear gas and using a water cannon to push back crowds that wouldn't disperse. Some march participants ignited fires outside the Gare de Lyon train station.
The fire at La Rotonde came just days after demonstrators shouting 'œDeath to Macron, death to La Rotonde'ť marched past the eatery, restaurant manager Gerard Tafanel said.
He said marchers wore the bright jackets of the '~yellow vest' protest movement that has demonstrated against the policies of Macron's government for more than a year. Tafanel said a yellow vest also was found by police officers investigating Saturday's fire.
Macron's name has been associated with the restaurant since he celebrated there during the 2017 presidential election, after qualifying for the second-round runoff that he later won.
Macron was a target of protesters himself on Friday night, too.
Seemingly tipped off to his presence by people inside, several dozen protesters converged on a Paris theater where Macron was watching an evening performance with his wife. Video showed protesters chanting 'œMacron resign'ť and some entering a door as surprised police tried to hold them back. A black car reported to be carrying Macron then sped away under a hail of boos.
Earlier Friday, dozens of protesters also blocked the entrance to the Louvre museum and forced the famous Paris landmark to close.
Transportation strikes against the pension overhaul began on Dec. 5. Saturday marked their 45th consecutive day, although the job actions are no longer as disruptive as they were earlier.
Workers in other sectors of the economy have held strikes, too, including at ports and oil refineries.
On Saturday, musicians, singers and other members of the striking Paris Opera drew a crowd with a free concert in front of the Palais Garnier opera house.
Protesting violinist Emilie Belaud said she doesn't condone violence but understands it.
'œIt's actually the price to pay for the government that doesn't listen to its citizens,'ť she said.
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Videojournalist Chris den Hond contributed.
People walk past the restaurant La Rotonde, in Paris, Saturday, jan.18, 2020. The Paris prosecutor's office says it has opened an investigation to determine the causes of the Rotonde fire. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The Associated Press
A crowd listens to musicians performing outside the Palais Garnier opera house, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Paris. As some strikers return to work, with notable improvements for train services that have been severely disrupted for weeks, more radical protesters are trying to keep the movement going. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The Associated Press
Inside view of the burned out remains of the restaurant La Rotonde, in Paris, Saturday, jan.18, 2020. The Paris prosecutor's office says it has opened an investigation to determine the causes of the Rotonde fire. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The Associated Press
Michel Dietlin prepares to conduct striking musicians of the orchestra outside the Palais Garnier opera house Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Paris. As some strikers return to work, with notable improvements for train services that have been severely disrupted for weeks, more radical protesters are trying to keep the movement going. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
The Associated Press
A woman looks inside the restaurant La Rotonde, in Paris, Saturday, jan.18, 2020. The Paris prosecutor's office says it has opened an investigation to determine the causes of the Rotonde fire. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The Associated Press
Inside view of the burned out remains of the restaurant La Rotonde, in Paris, Saturday, jan.18, 2020. The Paris prosecutor's office says it has opened an investigation to determine the causes of the Rotonde fire. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The Associated Press
Striking opera musicians wave to the crowd after performing outside the Palais Garnier opera house, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Paris. As some strikers return to work, with notable improvements for train services that have been severely disrupted for weeks, more radical protesters are trying to keep the movement going. Musicians, singers and other members of the striking Paris Opera drew a crowd with a free concert in front of the Palais Garnier opera house. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The Associated Press
Striking musicians perform outside the Palais Garnier opera house, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Paris. As some strikers return to work, with notable improvements for train services that have been severely disrupted for weeks, more radical protesters are trying to keep the movement going. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
The Associated Press
A crowd listens to musicians performing outside the Palais Garnier opera house, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Paris. As some strikers return to work, with notable improvements for train services that have been severely disrupted for weeks, more radical protesters are trying to keep the movement going. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
The Associated Press
Striking opera musicians wave to the crowd after performing outside the Palais Garnier opera house, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Paris. As some strikers return to work, with notable improvements for train services that have been severely disrupted for weeks, more radical protesters are trying to keep the movement going. Musicians, singers and other members of the striking Paris Opera drew a crowd with a free concert in front of the Palais Garnier opera house. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The Associated Press