More than 290 people were arrested during protests on Saturday against the rising cost of living and conditions in schools in France. The French Ministry of the Interior announced that 320,000 people participated in the nationwide demonstrations, with 70,000 of them present in Paris.
Clashes and tensions in several cities
The Ministry of the Interior stated that "the marches proceeded peacefully within the framework of the announced demonstrations" but reported the presence of "extremist elements" in several cities including Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Marseille, who attempted to enter city centers to cause destruction and looting.
In Marseille, images showed fires in the streets that firefighters were responding to. Clashes were also reported in Reims and Toulouse.
Security measures and increased police forces
After a largely calm start to the day, in the afternoon, police in Paris and Lyon fired tear gas. Tensions escalated in Paris as protesters reached the end of their march in the southern outskirts of the city. Footage broadcast by BFMTV showed fireworks and incendiary materials being thrown at police officers, with several officers caught in the flames.
Paris police conducted over 1,200 inspections at train stations and nearby areas to prevent troublemakers from entering the demonstrations. These inspections aimed to stop fireworks, knives, and other prohibited items from entering the marches.
The Ministry of the Interior also announced that "all available resources" in the air were deployed to monitor security throughout the day. An official order allowed drone-equipped cameras to send live images of the situation across the capital.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned on Saturday that the demonstrations posed a "very high risk" due to calls for looting and riots. About 70,000 police officers and other security forces were deployed across the country to maintain order during the protests.
Officials were also concerned that Halloween celebrations might provide an opportunity for individuals to conceal their identities while committing crimes. In response to concerns about attacks on public buildings and looting, authorities ordered that protest routes in Paris and other cities be moved away from city centers.
Many shops and businesses responded to the situation by boarding up their windows and taking precautionary measures. Curfews and other restrictions were also imposed in several cities, especially for specific areas and youth.
The use of similar security measures last weekend significantly prevented the recurrence of violence and destruction seen in the protests of October 17. Labor unions, school and student organizations, and the Yellow Vests movement, which first gained prominence in France in 2018, had called for the protests on Saturday.
