France Mobilizes Massive Police Force for New Round of Protests
Over 70,000 officers were deployed across the country as a second wave of demonstrations began in Paris and other major cities following last week's riots.
By Juan Gonzalez ·
France has entered a new phase of civil unrest with the deployment of more than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide. This massive security presence marks the start of a second wave of mass protests that began in Paris on Saturday. The demonstrations focus on deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living, occurring just one week after the country experienced some of its worst riots in years.
The main march in Paris took a specific route from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes. Local authorities designated this southeastern path as the only permitted route after banning an earlier negotiated itinerary that would have run through the city center between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. Officials also prohibited protests organized by groups other than unions, a decision that frustrated many participants.
Protesters expressed anger over the last-minute route changes. Emma, a podcaster and demonstrator, described the move as a tactic by the government to weaken the momentum of the movement. Monica, a retired educator, felt the change was intended to make the protest less visible. Both women declined to share their last names. The crowd included students, teachers, nurses, ecologists, and union representatives who chanted slogans and called for President Emmanuel Macron to resign.
In central Paris, the atmosphere was tense as businesses closed early and covered their windows with protective panels. Many retailers hired private security firms to guard their properties. The police prefecture requested the closure of at least 24 metro stations to manage the crowd. Major cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, closed for the day, and Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend events.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that authorities aimed to prevent a repeat of the events on October 17. On that day, largely peaceful protests turned chaotic with looting, vandalism, and clashes, resulting in thousands of damaged businesses and over 2,000 arrests. For this weekend, the minister noted that 20 percent more officers were on duty than the previous weekend. The elite RAID unit supported general police operations rather than directly managing crowds.
By early Saturday afternoon, police reported at least 135 arrests nationwide and the seizure of various weapons. While the overall situation remained calm, protests were banned in the downtown areas of cities such as Montpellier, Rouen, and Nice. In Lyon, police used tear gas to disperse about 150 demonstrators. A union march in Marseille was allowed to proceed under strict conditions, and the Yellow Vest movement announced its own protest for October 31.
The current unrest stems from student blockades in mid-September over aging buildings and teacher shortages. President Macron met with student representatives for the first time on Friday and promised more teachers and a major overhaul of the university admission system. Students indicated they would continue mobilizing until the government provides concrete actions. More than half a million people had taken to the streets on October 17.
This turmoil arises about six months before a critical presidential election. President Macron is barred from a third term and is due to leave office in 2027. Marine Le Pen, who leads recent polls by a wide margin and has long campaigned on restoring order, saw her party launch its campaign in Orleans. Thousands of anti-fascist protesters gathered there to counter the National Rally congress, with authorities expecting up to 30,000 people to join the counter-demonstration.
Source: Al Jazeera
