French President Emmanuel Macron released a statement on Saturday afternoon denouncing violent rioters who defaced national landmarks and attacked law enforcement officers in an escalation of protests that began last month.

“No room for violence in our Republic,” he said, referencing the increasingly hostile clashes between protesters and police that began largely as student-led protests about education policies. “Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted.”