France stations 70,000 officers for second national protest

French authorities deployed more than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide on Saturday to manage a second wave of mass demonstrations. This represents a 20% increase in personnel compared to the previous weekend. The surge aims to prevent a recurrence of the disorder seen on October 17, when peaceful protests turned into widespread looting and clashes that resulted in over 2,000 arrests.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the expanded deployment. He stated that the elite RAID unit would support standard police operations rather than directly managing crowds. By early Saturday afternoon, police reported at least 135 arrests across the country. Officers also seized various weapons while acknowledging that the general atmosphere remained calm.

In Paris, the main march was confined to the Boulevards des Marechaux on the southeastern edge of the city. The route ran from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes. Local authorities banned the originally negotiated central path between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. They also prohibited protests organized by groups other than labor unions. This last-minute decision frustrated participants who wanted a more central presence.

Emma, a protester and podcaster, described the route change as a government tactic to drain energy from the movement. Monica, a retired public education worker, said the move made the movement appear invisible. Neither provided a last name. The crowd included students, teachers, nurses, ecologists, and union representatives. Some chanted for President Emmanuel Macron to resign, while others shouted slogans about billionaires and anti-fascism.

Businesses in central Paris prepared for potential unrest by shuttering windows and hiring private security. At least 24 metro stations closed at the request of the police prefecture. Major cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, closed for the day. Art Basel Paris also cancelled its weekend program. Protests were banned in the downtown areas of Montpellier, Rouen, and Nice, while police in Lyon used tear gas to disperse about 150 demonstrators.

The demonstrations follow a meeting on Friday where Macron spoke with student representatives for the first time since the unrest began in mid-September. He promised additional teachers and a major overhaul of the university admission system. Students indicated they would continue mobilizing until the government provides concrete actions. More than 500,000 people marched on October 17, marking the start of this sustained period of civic unrest.

The political tension is high as the presidential election approaches in six months. Macron is barred from seeking a third term and will leave office in 2027. Marine Le Pen, who campaigns on restoring law and order, currently leads recent polls by a wide margin. In Orleans, thousands of protesters gathered near her National Rally party congress, where authorities expected a counter-demonstration of 20,000 to 30,000 people.