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France protests enter second act as 410,000 rally and nearly 1,000 detained
In the second phase of protests that began over fuel prices and the cost of living in France, 410,000 people took to the streets. Clashes occurred in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Nice, while police detained nearly 1,000 people.
According to Interior Ministry figures, 410,000 people took part in nationwide protests held on Saturday against the French government and the cost of living. Of these, 110,000 marched in Paris. The CGT trade union, however, argued that turnout was nearly twice the official figure.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that nearly 1,000 people had been detained nationwide and said police had faced “an extremely high level of violence.” More than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed for the demonstrations.
Paris route changed at the last minute
The march that unions had planned between Bastille and Nation in Paris was banned. The crowd marched from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes on the southeastern edge of the city.
At least 24 metro stations were closed throughout the day. The Louvre and Musée d'Orsay museums did not open, while the Art Basel Paris fair canceled its weekend program. La France Insoumise (LFI) leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon also joined the march.
Images also showed the crowd making way for an ambulance to pass.
Clashes break out in the evening
At the end of the largely peaceful march, a masked group of about 500 people threw stones at police. Officers responded with tear gas and water cannon.
Riot police moved through the streets to disperse the groups.
During the police intervention, the streets were littered with remnants of barricades.
A police officer lost his balance and fell while trying to intervene against protesters.
Footage also captured moments when some demonstrators attacked police officers.
A police officer was injured during the intervention.
Police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Fires in Marseille and Lyon
In Marseille, the unions' march was authorized under strict conditions, but young people clashed with police in the evening.
Demonstrators dragged large metal panels to block the street, set trash bins on fire and threw stones and bottles at police.
Some streets in Marseille were set on fire.
In Lyon, where demonstrations were banned in the city center, police used tear gas to disperse a group of 150 people. Protesters set streets on fire.
Far-right attack in Nice
In Nice, where demonstrations were banned, dozens of people belonging to a far-right group attacked peaceful demonstrators, according to BFMTV, prompting police intervention.
Protesters and far-right groups confronted each other in the streets of Nice.
Another recording also showed far-right activists attacking demonstrators.
Looting and tension
Footage also emerged showing some protesters looting a supermarket.
Camera footage captured a person drawing a gun to protect themselves from looters.
Demonstrators blocked the path of a gendarmerie motorcycle.
Palestinian flags at the demonstrations
Palestinian flags also stood out at the demonstrations. In Paris, demonstrators carrying a Palestinian flag were dispersed with water cannon.
In Grenoble, LFI's Allan Brunon posed for a photograph with demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags.
Fuel prices and anger at Macron
The protests that began on September 15 grew in response to diesel prices reaching as high as 2.37 euros per liter because of the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the cost of living. The demands also included addressing teacher shortages in schools, reforming the Parcoursup university admissions system and opposition to President Emmanuel Macron.
During the first major day of action on October 17, 1,200 people were detained and 150 police officers were injured. Macron promised more teachers and reforms to Parcoursup, but student representatives said the meeting had not eased tensions. Activists are calling for a “third act” on October 31.
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