70,000 officers deployed as France braces for second wave of street protests

Thousands of French citizens took to the streets on Saturday, facing a security presence of over 70,000 police and gendarmes as a new wave of mass protests began. The demonstrations target deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living, occurring just one week after the country witnessed some of its most violent riots in recent years.

In Paris, marchers moved from Porte d'Italie toward Porte de Vincennes along the Boulevards des Marechaux. Local authorities designated this as the sole permitted route, overriding an earlier agreement for a central path between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. Non-union groups were also barred from organizing their own demonstrations, a decision that frustrated many attendees.

Participants criticized the last-minute change in plans. Emma, a protester and podcaster, described the route shift as a government tactic to drain the movement's energy. Monica, a retired public education worker, said the move made the authorities look like they wanted to render the movement invisible. Neither woman provided a last name.

The crowd included students, teachers, nurses, ecologists, and union representatives. Many marched peacefully, dancing and chanting slogans such as 'Too many billionaires; We are preparing the revolution' and 'We are all anti-fascists.' Some specifically called for President Emmanuel Macron to resign.

City life in central Paris was significantly disrupted. Many businesses closed their doors, covering windows with protective panels and hiring private security. Police requested the closure of at least 24 metro stations. Major cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, closed for the day, and Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend events.

Officials stated the deployment was designed to prevent a repeat of the chaos seen on October 17. That day, largely peaceful protests turned violent, with widespread looting and vandalism damaging thousands of businesses. More than 2,000 people were taken into custody. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez noted that 20 percent more officers were on duty than the previous weekend, with the elite RAID unit supporting other police units rather than directly managing crowds.

By early Saturday afternoon, police reported at least 135 arrests nationwide and the seizure of various weapons. Officials described the overall situation as calm, though protests were banned in downtown areas of cities like Montpellier, Rouen, and Nice. In Marseille, a union march proceeded under strict conditions, while police in Lyon used tear gas to disperse about 150 demonstrators. The Yellow Vest movement announced its own protest for October 31.

The unrest began in mid-September when high school students blockaded schools over poor building conditions, teacher shortages, and the university admission system. On Friday, Macron met student representatives for the first time since the protests started, promising more teachers and a major overhaul of Parcoursup. Students indicated they would continue mobilizing until concrete actions are taken.

The turmoil arrives six months before a pivotal presidential election. Macron is barred from 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 chanted anti-fascist slogans as her National Rally held a party congress. Authorities expected between 20,000 and 30,000 people to join a counter-demonstration.