70,000 officers deployed for second French protest

Thousands of people marched through Paris on Saturday as the second wave of national demonstrations began. The movement targets deteriorating school conditions and rising living costs. These protests follow a week of the country's worst riots in years. Local authorities restricted the Paris route to the Boulevards des Marechaux on the city's southeastern edge. The march started at Porte d'Italie and ended at Porte de Vincennes. This was the only permitted path after officials banned the originally negotiated central route between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. Authorities also prohibited protests organized by groups other than unions.

Participants expressed frustration over the last-minute change in plans. Emma, a protester and podcaster, described the move as a government tactic to drain the movement of energy. Monica, a retired public education employee, said the route change made the movement seem invisible. Neither provided a last name. The crowd included students, teachers, ecologists, nurses, and union representatives. They danced and chanted slogans while calling for President Emmanuel Macron to resign. One group shouted, "Too many billionaires; We are preparing the revolution." Another chanted, "We are all anti-fascists."

Businesses in central Paris prepared for potential disruption. Many shops closed early and covered windows with protective panels. Some retailers hired private security guards. The police prefecture requested the closure of at least 24 metro stations. The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay closed for the day. Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend program in response to the demonstrations.

Officials deployed more than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide to prevent a repeat of the events on October 17. That day saw widespread looting, vandalism, and clashes during largely peaceful protests. Official figures state that thousands of businesses were damaged and more than 2,000 people were taken into custody. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 20 percent more officers were on duty than the previous weekend. The elite RAID unit supported other police operations rather than directly managing crowds.

By early Saturday afternoon, police reported arresting at least 135 people nationwide. Officers seized various weapons while acknowledging the situation remained calm. Protests were banned in the downtown areas of Montpellier, Rouen, and Nice. A union march in Marseille proceeded under strict conditions. In Lyon, police fired tear gas to disperse about 150 demonstrators. The Yellow Vest movement announced its own protest for October 31.

The unrest started in mid-September when high school students blockaded schools over dilapidated buildings and teacher shortages. On Friday, Macron met with student representatives for the first time since the protests began. He promised more teachers and a deep overhaul of Parcoursup, the university admission system. Students said they would continue mobilizing until the government presents concrete actions. More than half a million people took to the streets on October 17.

The turmoil occurs six months before the presidential election. Macron is barred from a third consecutive term and is due to leave office in 2027. Marine Le Pen leads recent polls by a wide margin after campaigning on restoring law and order. In Orleans, thousands shouted anti-fascist slogans while the National Rally held a party congress. Authorities expected between 20,000 and 30,000 people to join a counter-demonstration.

The next scheduled event is a Yellow Vest protest on October 31. In Orleans, the National Rally began its campaign with a congress attended by thousands of supporters and counter-protesters.