France: 70,000 Police Guard 400,000 Marchers
Government estimates show massive crowds supporting students, while unions claim double that number amid renewed street clashes.
By Elijah Fitzgerald ·
French authorities deployed more than 70,000 police officers on Saturday to guard nationwide marches that the government estimated drew at least 400,000 participants. The demonstrations support high school students demanding more teachers and structural repairs for dilapidated buildings. Trade unions disputed the official count, claiming the total number of marchers was double the government figure.
In Paris, at least 110,000 people walked along the eastern edge of the city. The atmosphere remained relaxed for much of the afternoon, with brass bands playing and families in the crowd. However, tensions escalated at the route's endpoint near Porte de Vincennes. Groups of masked men in black threw glass bottles and stones at officers. Police responded with teargas, water cannon, and stun grenades. A bin fire and fireworks marked the clashes in the capital.
Similar confrontations occurred in other major cities. Teargas was used in Lyon, Lille, Montpellier, Nantes, and Toulouse to prevent protesters from reaching city centers. In Marseille, clashes involved lit bin fires. The government had feared a repeat of the previous weekend, which saw public buildings burned, shops looted, and at least 2,700 arrests.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed 135 arrests across France on Saturday. Authorities confiscated various items, including metal balls, lead pellets, slingshots, a katana sword, and airsoft weapons. The minister noted that shops were boarded up and many museums closed in preparation for the events.
Protesters expressed anger over what they described as heavy-handed policing and high living costs. Nadège, a 43-year-old communications worker, said she was teargassed at a peaceful demonstration the previous weekend. "I'm out again peacefully today to support everyone who is brave enough to demonstrate. It does take courage. People are afraid now," she said. A 21-year-old student from a blockaded Paris science faculty stated that France is increasingly living in an authoritarian regime trying to stop the democratic right to protest.
The crisis began in mid-September when students aged 15 to 18 started protesting staff shortages and crumbling infrastructure. The movement has since grown to include trade unions, teachers, and parents. Police investigations are underway after children and protesters were injured by explosive police weaponry. Jérôme Rodrigues, a key figure from the 2018 gilets jaunes movement, said the government is afraid and pushing demonstrators to the city edges. He predicted demonstrations would continue each weekend.
In Orléans, thousands marched against a congress held by Marine Le Pen's National Rally party. The crowd shouted anti-fascist slogans and criticized both Le Pen and President Emmanuel Macron, who steps down next year. Banners in Paris read "Oppression breeds rebellion" and "The right to protest."
