FRANCE LATEST:  HIGHER NUMBERS OF ARRESTS AND PROTESTERS SATURDAY, TRUMP REBUFFED BY FOREIGN MINISTER

The number of arrests yesterday in France was raised even higher today to nearly 2,000.

1,939 is the latest number from the government, which also says that 136,000 people participated in the protests yesterday.

Lawyers groups denounced the arbitrary nature of arrests, many of which were described as preventive by the authorities.   People were arrested because they looked dangerous or were carrying items considered dangerous.

500 people were reported to still be in custody as of Sunday evening.

The number of injuries was also raised to 325 by Sunday evening.

On the issue of the tear gas used, the BBC did report on air that "stronger" gas was used and showed an injured protester.     This "stronger tear gas" notion was presented in a story from BBC reporter Lucy Williamson in Paris.

Nigel Farage on his "Nigel Farage Show" radio show Sunday spoke of a picture showing riot police from a European Union police force being used on Saturday against the protesters.   The police wearing Portuguese flags on their helmets.    No confirmation of that information.

The government is calling the protest movement of the "yellow vests" an "economic catastrophe" for France.

And President Donald J. Trump's tweets against the policies of French President Emmanuel Macron and the world climate change agreement triggered a response from French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian:

"I say this to Donald Trump and the French president says it too: leave our nation be"

Macron meets with business and labor union leaders Monday morning and speaks to France at 8pm tomorrow night,  2pm in the Eastern US.

THE 'YELLOW VESTS' HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED TO PROTESTING AGAIN NEXT SATURDAY.

The protest movement appears deep and broad.   The BBC showed a couple around the age of 60, a man and a woman, one from the "Right" and the other from the "Left".   Both wore their yellow vests in unison opposing the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron.

And two yellow vests protesters were married at a toll station along a highway near Tarbes, France on Saturday.  The yellow vests have occupied the toll station for a month.

The couple, "Chouchoune" and  "Coco Bel Eye", left the yellow vests blockade following their wedding on a motorccycle.

Pictures were posted of the event on Twitter.

(EDITING AND ADDITIONS LATE SUNDAY AND EARLY MONDAY)