France's interior minister on Thursday warned of a very high risk of public disorder on Saturday and announced the deployment of about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country for a new day of protests coinciding with Halloween.1,3
The demonstrations, called by the Yellow Vest movement and student unions, follow weeks of protests over the rising cost of living and inequality. Nationwide demonstrations on October 17 degenerated into clashes, large-scale looting and vandalism of public property, described in France as some of the country's worst rioting in years. They come six months before presidential elections in which far-right leader Marine Le Pen is leading opinion polls.1,3
"The day of October 31 presents a very high risk of public disorder," Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told reporters at a news conference. He said about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes would be mobilised, matching the number deployed for protests a week earlier, a move he called an "exceptional measure."1,3
Nuñez said security measures introduced last week would be strengthened, including measures to protect shops and the use of armoured vehicles and water cannon. Demonstrations will be allowed, he said, but "not in city centres, where there is a risk of public disorder." He added, "We will tolerate no excesses," and pledged an "extremely firm" response.1,3
The minister said authorities had detected social media calls for Halloween gatherings on Saturday evening calling for a "revolution." He said those appeals were being circulated by radical left groups and some radicalised Yellow Vest activists. "These gatherings will be banned," he said.1,3
Nuñez also warned demonstrators against using Halloween as "a legitimate reason to hide one's face" to cause disturbances in public areas. The Yellow Vest movement has announced a "third act" of its protests on Halloween and called for demonstrations outside the National Assembly and all town halls in the country.3
Demonstrations last Saturday drew about 410,000 protesters nationwide, according to the interior ministry, though unions put the figure at roughly double that. The ministry said more than 2,700 people were arrested a week earlier. Although last weekend's rallies were largely peaceful, incidents of street violence still occurred.1,3
The unrest followed weeks of demonstrations by students campaigning for better learning conditions. On Monday, the government announced a series of measures aimed at addressing student protesters' demands, including replacing the university admissions platform and providing loans for school renovations. Students said the proposals did not go far enough.1
Authorities have admitted to security and intelligence failures that preceded the October 17 clashes, looting and vandalism. The police response has been criticised as heavy-handed and has prompted a broader movement against the cost of living and police violence. Several teenage protesters have been seriously injured.1
On Thursday, representatives of youth organisations met Nuñez but emerged disappointed. "We went to this meeting to discuss our demands, but above all the last four weeks of mobilisation, which have been marked by unprecedented police violence," said Manon Moret, secretary-general of the student union Unef. "This meeting was a dialogue of the deaf." Some of those present accused Nuñez of refusing to acknowledge violence committed against protesters. Louis Letoublon, deputy head of the association Les Lycéens!, denounced "an irresponsible minister, incapable of answering for police repression."1
Nuñez also issued a warning to far-right groups that clashed with left-wing protesters at rallies in about 15 French cities. Demonstrations on Saturday are to be permitted outside city centres, while the Halloween evening gatherings he identified are banned.1,3
