France Puts 70,000 Officers on Streets as Second March Begins

Police deployed more than 70,000 officers and gendarmes across France on Saturday as a second round of mass demonstrations began, a week after the country's worst riots in years. Thousands marched peacefully through Paris. By early afternoon, police reported at least 135 arrests nationwide and seizures of weapons, while describing the situation as calm.

The Paris march left Porte d'Italie for Porte de Vincennes along the Boulevards des Marechaux on the city's southeastern edge. That was the only route local authorities permitted. A central itinerary from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation had been negotiated earlier but was banned, as were protests organised by groups other than unions. Emma, a protester and podcaster, called the change a government tactic to drain the movement's energy. Monica, retired from the public education sector, said it gave the impression authorities wanted the movement to be invisible. Neither gave a last name.

Marchers included students, teachers, ecologists, nurses and union representatives. Some called for President Emmanuel Macron to resign. One group chanted "Too many billionaires; We are preparing the revolution."

In central Paris, many businesses shuttered and shop windows were covered with protective panels. Some retailers hired private security. At least 24 metro stations closed at the request of the police prefecture. The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay shut for the day, and Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend programme. Protests were banned in downtown areas of Montpellier, Rouen and Nice. In Lyon, police fired tear gas to disperse about 150 demonstrators. A union march in Marseille was authorised under strict conditions.

The scale aimed to prevent a repeat of October 17, when largely peaceful protests gave way to looting, vandalism and clashes. Thousands of businesses were damaged or ransacked and more than 2,000 people were taken into custody, according to official figures. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 20 percent more officers were on duty than the previous weekend, with the elite RAID unit supporting other operations rather than handling crowds directly.

The unrest began in mid-September, when high school students blockaded their schools over dilapidated buildings, teacher shortages and what they call an unfair university admission system. On Friday, Macron met student representatives for the first time since the protests began, promising more teachers and a deep overhaul of Parcoursup. Students said they would keep mobilising until the government presents concrete actions. More than half a million people took to the streets on October 17. The turmoil arrives about six months before a presidential election, with Macron barred from a third consecutive term and due to leave office in 2027. Marine Le Pen, who has campaigned on restoring law and order, leads recent polls by a wide margin. In Orleans, thousands shouted anti-fascist slogans as her National Rally held a party congress marking the start of its campaign, and authorities expected 20,000 to 30,000 people at a counter-demonstration.

The Yellow Vest movement announced its own protest for October 31.