France Masses Police Ahead of Second Protest Wave
A massive security deployment accompanies new nationwide demonstrations focused on education and economic pressures, following a week of significant civil unrest.
By Kavya Kapoor ·
The French state has mobilized over 70,000 law enforcement personnel nationwide as a fresh round of mass demonstrations commenced on Saturday. This substantial buildup aims to prevent a recurrence of the chaotic scenes witnessed just days prior, marking a decisive shift in the government's approach to managing public dissent.
In Paris, thousands of marchers moved peacefully along a restricted route on the city's southeastern edge. Local authorities designated this specific path as the only permitted option after rejecting a previously negotiated central itinerary. The decision, which also barred non-union organized protests, frustrated many participants who felt their presence was being deliberately marginalized by the state.
The crowd comprised a diverse coalition of students, educators, nurses, ecologists, and union leaders. While many maintained a festive atmosphere with dancing and witty chants, others voiced sharper demands for President Emmanuel Macron to step down. Slogans ranged from calls for social revolution due to excessive wealth inequality to declarations of anti-fascist solidarity, reflecting the broad nature of the grievances.
Preparations in the capital were extensive, with numerous businesses shuttering their doors and installing protective panels on shop windows. At least 24 metro stations were closed at the request of the police prefecture, and major cultural institutions like the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay suspended their operations. The event also led to the cancellation of the Art Basel Paris weekend program, highlighting the significant disruption caused by the unrest.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that police strength increased by 20 percent compared to the previous weekend. The elite RAID unit was deployed to support general police operations rather than directly managing crowds. By early Saturday afternoon, officials reported at least 135 arrests nationwide and the seizure of various weapons, while noting that the overall situation remained calm despite the heavy presence of security forces.
The current wave of unrest traces back to mid-September, when high school students blocked their institutions to protest poor building conditions, staff shortages, and the university admission system. Although Macron met with student representatives on Friday to promise more teachers and a review of the Parcoursup system, students remain unconvinced and intend to continue mobilizing until concrete measures are implemented.
This period of turmoil arrives roughly six months before a critical presidential election, in which Macron is ineligible to run for a third term. With Marine Le Pen leading recent polls, the political stakes are high. In Orleans, thousands gathered to shout anti-fascist slogans as her National Rally held its congress, with authorities expecting up to 30,000 people to join the counter-demonstration.
Source: Al Jazeera
