Situation turns tense in Paris and Marseille as government estimates 410,000 to have taken part in protests across France.
At least 410,000 people have taken part in protests across France, with demonstrations occurring in Paris and Marseille despite being approved only in those cities.
Demonstrations were set to take place in Paris and Marseille but protesters took to the streets in other cities including Lyon and Nantes. There were reports about clashes between protesters and police in several cities, with police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators wearing masks in Lyon.
The French interior ministry estimates 410,000 people participated in protests throughout France today, significantly lower than the 550,000 who attended demonstrations last weekend. Paris police reported 110,000 protesters in the capital, while the CGT trade union claimed 800,000 participated nationwide, with 250,000 in Paris.
Security Measures
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admitted a "loss of control" last Saturday and increased police deployment by 10,000 to 70,000 this Saturday. Police arrested 135 people and seized various weapons including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana and airsoft weapons.
Our forces are mobilized, our setup is in place. We are ready.
Violence Less Severe
The situation is nowhere near the total chaos Paris and other cities experienced last Saturday when gangs ransacked and destroyed at least 3,000 shops across the country. Business owners expressed fears of further looting, with some planning to buy weapons for self-defense.
"Last weekend, our neighborhood resembled a war zone with gangs roaming the area. Today, it's completely empty apart from police with their vans," said Yassaman Metghalchi, co-owner of a jewelry shop in Paris that was looted last Saturday.
Political Protests
In Orleans, protesters demonstrated against Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party during its two-day congress. The protest was against 'racism, fascism and imperialism,' with some signs invoking Nazi occupation and the Vichy regime. Le Pen is currently the frontrunner in France's presidential elections next year.
The Yellow Vest movement, which was central to protests from 2018 to 2020 against rising fuel prices, called for new demonstrations on October 31. They want fresh rallies and a sit-in outside parliament and city halls nationwide to protest what they call the "authoritarian drift" of President Emmanuel Macron.
Regional Impact
As unrest spreads across Europe, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ordered 500 additional soldiers to Milan to join hundreds already stationed there. They will support 5,000 police and other law enforcement personnel to prevent a repeat of the violence seen on October 17.
Major Paris museums and landmarks were closed due to security fears, including the Louvre, Orsay Museum, Picasso Museum, Grand Palais, Arc de Triomphe, and Tuileries Gardens. The contemporary art fair Art Basel Paris canceled its entire weekend program following Friday's opening.
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