Nuñez Reports 135 Detentions as 70,000 Officers Guard French Streets

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that French police deployed 70,000 officers across major cities on Saturday to manage the second weekend of nationwide protests against high living costs. The security force included helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. Nuñez reported that 135 people were arrested and a variety of weapons were seized, including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana, and airsoft guns. He stated that no major incidents had occurred in the country so far.

In Lyon, where demonstrations were officially banned, approximately 150 protesters near the city center attempted to block a road. Police dispersed the group using tear gas. A 21-year-old student speaking to Agence France-Presse anonymously noted that officers were highly mobile, adding, "They come and disperse marches before they even form."

Thousands of people marched in Orléans against a congress hosted by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party, where she is launching her presidential campaign against Emmanuel Macron. Le Pen is positioned to win the election in six months according to surveys. Marchers chanted "Macron resign. Le Pen in prison," according to AFP. Police counted 11,000 participants, while organizers claimed 26,000 attended. About 50 groups, including unions, left-wing parties, and student organizations, called for the protest. French media reported the event ended peacefully in the early afternoon. The congress is scheduled to run through Sunday.

Authorities described the atmosphere in Paris as calm. Hundreds gathered at the Porte d'Italie for the city's only authorized march. Police moved the location from the Bastille to the southeastern edge of the city at the last minute. Union representative Murielle Guilbert called the relocation "scandalous," stating that Macron barred protesters from demonstrating where they wished. She noted that wages have not risen to expected levels. A student named Lucas told CBS Saturday Morning that it is "normal for people to be angry."

The unrest has disrupted daily life in the capital. Major museums are closed, and many businesses are boarded up. Art Basel opened for one day only on Friday, cancelling its weekend program. The first NFL game in France between the New Orleans Saints and another team remains scheduled for Sunday, though some venues were shut Saturday. A soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais, originally planned for Sunday, moved to Monday night. Around 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted during the previous weekend.

The protests began last month when high school students in the southeast of Paris demonstrated for better conditions. The movement widened as people demanded relief from rising living costs. The Yellow Vests, who emerged about eight years ago to protest Macron, said they will hold more demonstrations on Oct. 31. They plan rallies and a sit-in outside parliament and city halls, condemning the government's "authoritarian drift."

Unrest spread to other parts of Europe. Italy sent additional soldiers to Milan after looting and clashes. Premier Giorgia Meloni announced tougher penalties for minors, who police said made up much of the violent crowd. In Tirana, Albania, riot police used water cannons on student protesters demanding lower tuition and an end to corruption in education. Thousands of retirees marched in Madrid over pensions, and a housing protest was expected in Lisbon.