70,000 Officers Deployed as France Prepares for Second Protest Wave

More than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed across France on Saturday to manage a second wave of nationwide demonstrations. This force represents a 20 percent increase over the number of officers on duty the previous weekend. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that the elite RAID unit would support general police operations rather than directly manage crowds. The government aimed to avoid a recurrence of the events from October 17, when peaceful protests turned into widespread riots.

The Paris march followed a newly mandated route along the Boulevards des Marechaux on the city's southeastern edge. The demonstration started at Porte d'Italie and was scheduled to conclude at Porte de Vincennes. Local authorities designated this as the only permitted path after banning a previously negotiated itinerary between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. Protests organized by non-union groups were also prohibited in the capital.

Participants expressed frustration over the last-minute route change. Emma, a podcaster and protester, described the move as a tactic to drain the movement's energy. Monica, a retired public education worker, said the restriction made the movement appear invisible. Both women declined to share their last names. The march included students, teachers, ecologists, nurses, and union representatives who chanted slogans and danced.

Chanters in the crowd called for President Emmanuel Macron to resign. One group shouted, "Too many billionaires; We are preparing the revolution," while another chanted, "We are all anti-fascists." The presence of diverse groups reflected the broad scope of the grievances, which include worsening school conditions and the rising cost of living.

Preparations in central Paris included shuttered businesses and shop windows covered with protective panels. Some retailers hired private security firms to guard their premises. At the request of the police prefecture, at least 24 metro stations closed for the day. Major cultural institutions also shut their doors, with the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay closing for the day. Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend program.

By early Saturday afternoon, police reported at least 135 arrests nationwide. Officers also seized various weapons during the demonstrations. Authorities described the overall situation as calm despite the large turnout. In several cities, including Montpellier, Rouen, and Nice, protests were banned in downtown areas. A union march in Marseille proceeded under strict conditions, while police in Lyon fired tear gas to disperse approximately 150 demonstrators.

The unrest originated in mid-September when high school students blockaded schools over dilapidated buildings and teacher shortages. They also criticized the university admission system. On Friday, Macron met with student representatives for the first time since the protests began. He promised more teachers and a major overhaul of the Parcoursup system. Students indicated they would continue mobilizing until the government provides concrete actions.

More than 500,000 people took to the streets on October 17, the day marked by looting, vandalism, and clashes. Official figures stated that thousands of businesses were damaged or ransacked that day. Over 2,000 people were taken into custody during the October 17 events. The Yellow Vest movement has announced its own protest for October 31.

The political tension is heightened by a presidential election scheduled for six months from now. Macron is barred from seeking a third consecutive term and is set to leave office in 2027. Marine Le Pen leads recent polls by a wide margin, having campaigned on restoring law and order. In Orleans, thousands shouted anti-fascist slogans while her National Rally held a party congress. Authorities expected between 20,000 and 30,000 people to join a counter-demonstration there.