Hundreds of Thousands Join Protests in France

Protests in France

Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across France again on Saturday, the latest expression of national grievance that has led to clashes between protesters and the police and kept the…

Halloween Protests

Adding to those fears: Halloween, which falls on Saturday. The French authorities, citing calls on social media for people to revolt that encouraged them to wear masks and costumes, warned that the risk of a…

Paris Demonstrations

In Paris, tensions began flaring between protesters and the police in the late afternoon, as officers fired tear gas at people who refused to disperse.

Paris Crowd Size

The Paris police estimated that 70,000 people marched in the demonstration, compared with 110,0:000 last Saturday.

National Protests

The interior ministry estimated that nationwide, 320,000 people demonstrated, compared with 410,000 last week.

Protesters in Paris

After the main demonstration ended, hundreds of protesters, many masked and clad in black, formed an unauthorized procession in eastern Paris.

Clashes in Cities

Protesters and the police also clashed in Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Rennes.

Student Protester

Corentin Schnell, a 19-year-old engineering student, took part in the unauthorized march in Paris because, he said, he was angered by accounts of the police using tear gas and stun grenades against protesters in past…

Student Protester Quote

I’ve come to demonstrate and to try to provide medical care, to limit the damage, regardless of which side it’s on.

“I’ve come to demonstrate and to try to provide medical care, to limit the damage, regardless of which side it’s on.”

Interior Minister

Earlier in the week, France’s interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, promised to deploy 70,000 police officers, matching the numbers on Oct. 24.

Student Demands

The Education Ministry agreed to cap some class sizes, offer low-interest loans to rebuild school buildings and phase out an unpopular online college admissions platform.

Widening Movement

The students vowed to go on protesting. Their two-month-old movement has grown to include university students, public workers and veterans of the “yellow vest” movement that convulsed France from 2018 to 2020.

Authorities' Concern

The authorities have said they are most worried about trouble breaking out after nightfall.

Interior Minister Quote

We are seeing numerous calls to gather coming from the far left, the radicalized extreme left, and from certain radicalized ‘yellow vests’ websites, which are urging people to attend rallies or public gatherings starting at…

“We are seeing numerous calls to gather coming from the far left, the radicalized extreme left, and from certain radicalized ‘yellow vests’ websites, which are urging people to attend rallies or public gatherings starting at 8 p.m. in many cities across France.”

Violent Messages

Some of the messages were violent, Mr. Nuñez said, calling for “revolution” and “insurrection.”

“Some of the messages were violent, Mr. Nuñez said, calling for “revolution” and “insurrection.””

Halloween Costumes

Demonstrators have been encouraged on social media to turn up wearing Halloween costumes. Mr. Nuñez warned that it was a criminal offense to conceal one’s face during a demonstration that disrupted public order.