France protests draw 70,000 officers as unrest eases from previous week
Tens of thousands marched peacefully in Paris on Saturday, while confrontations occurred in several other French cities and nationwide arrests reached 135 by early afternoon.
Paris, France. Saturday’s demonstrations across France drew a deployment of 70,000 police officers, with disorder appearing substantially less intense than a week earlier despite confrontations in several cities. Police figures indicated that tens of thousands marched peacefully in Paris.
Protesters challenge living costs and public service cuts
Demonstrators in the capital protested against expensive living conditions and accused President Emmanuel Macron of reducing public services without addressing growing inequality.
Some participants waved flags while chanting: “Down with the state, the police and the fascists,”
Much of the centre of Paris appeared effectively locked down. Shopkeepers covered their premises with boards, museums shut and over 20 metro stations were closed.
Groups representing businesses urged retailers not to open, following damage or looting at thousands of commercial premises throughout France the previous weekend.
Confrontations in several cities
Officers used tear gas against people in Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lille and Nice. In Nice, police also used a water cannon when protesters would not comply with instructions to retreat.
Hooded youths clashed with officers in Marseille and Lyon, respectively France’s second- and third-largest cities.
The government’s deployment included 10,000 more police officers and gendarmes than the operation on October 17, when demonstrations around the country deteriorated into unrest among the worst France had experienced for years.
Minister reports 135 arrests
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told reporters that arrests nationwide had reached 135 by early afternoon. He said many resulted from preventive searches, during which officers found fireworks, ball bearings and additional objects potentially usable as weapons.
Nunez, who has blamed far-left groups and criminal gangs for instigating violence, stressed the need for a rapid police response.
“We have to be ultra, ultra responsive,” he said.
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