Macron hopes older protester gains "wisdom" after injuries

FILE - In this Saturday, March 23, 2019 file picture, anti-globalization activist Genevieve Legay, 73, lies unconscious after collapsing on the ground during a protest in Nice, southeastern France, as part of the 19th round of the yellow vests movement. Genevieve Legay was waving a rainbow flag marked "Peace" and a yellow vest when riot police carrying shields suddenly pushed toward the group of a few dozen protesters Saturday. (AP Photo/Claude Paris, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, March 23, 2019 file picture, anti-globalization activist Genevieve Legay, 73, demonstrates in front of riot police officers during a protest in Nice, southeastern France, as part of the 19th round of the yellow vests movement. French authorities are investigating the case of Genevieve Legay who suffered head injuries when police charged people defying a yellow vest protest ban in Nice. (AP Photo/Claude Paris, File)

PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron has told a newspaper he hopes a 73-year old yellow vest protester who suffered serious head injuries after being charged by police in Nice, gains "wisdom" over the incident.

Anti-globalization activist Genevieve Legay remains in hospital Monday after police advanced aggressively on people defying a protest ban Saturday.

An Associated Press reporter saw Legay, who was waving a rainbow flag marked "Peace," fall to the pavement, blood spilling from her head.

In an interview published in Nice Matin Monday, Macron suggested Legay didn't behave "responsibly," saying that "fragile" people shouldn't attend "places that are defined as prohibited."

He added: "I wish her a speedy recovery, and perhaps a form of wisdom."

At least 2,000 people have been injured in yellow vest protest violence.