France braces for second day of protests within 48 hours

Hundreds of thousands march Saturday

France expects massive protests on Saturday over poor school conditions and rising cost of living. This is the fourth consecutive Saturday of nationwide demonstrations.

Thursday strike drew over 600,000

France's Interior Ministry said more than 600,000 people took to the streets on Thursday. The CGT union said nearly 1.6 million participated in more than 200 demonstrations nationwide.

70,000 police deployed for Saturday

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police officers and gendarmes would be deployed across the country on 7 November to prevent looting and vandalism.

“If there are any rioters or looters... we'll be ready and waiting for them.”

Yellow Vests defy demonstration ban

The Yellow Vests movement plans a separate rally at Place de la Concorde in central Paris despite a ban by authorities.Benjamin Ball, a member of the coordinating committee, said they are calling for mass disobedience.

“We are calling for mass disobedience.”

Police conduct under investigation

The police response to protests has faced criticism for being heavy-handed. Interior Minister Nuñez said the national police inspectorate had launched 18 inquiries into police conduct during demonstrations.

Journalists report police obstruction

AFP urged protection for its journalists after reporting alleged police brutality. Reporters Without Borders recorded 40 cases of journalists being obstructed by security forces, including 21 involving physical violence.

PM to meet unions on wages Monday

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is due to discuss wages and purchasing power with trade unions and employers on Monday. Unions demand minimum wage increases, across-the-board raises, tax reforms and better learning conditions.

“The only thing that will bring the protests to an end is a response to the demands that have been put forward for several weeks by workers, civil servants, young people and pensioners.”