French Police Deploy 70,000 Officers as Cost of Living Protests Return

Up to 70,000 police officers were deployed across France on Saturday in an effort to contain widespread protests over the high cost of living. This massive security presence included helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. The government aimed to prevent a repeat of the chaos seen the previous weekend, when more than half a million people took to the streets in what has become the largest wave of unrest in recent years.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that 135 individuals had been detained by the end of the day. Authorities also seized a variety of items from the crowds, including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, improvised weapons, airsoft guns, and even a katana. Despite the heavy police presence and initial skirmishes, Nuñez stated that there had been no major incident in the country so far.

Tensions were highest in Lyon, where demonstrations had technically been banned. Approximately 150 protesters near the city center attempted to block a road briefly. Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the group. A 21-year-old student who spoke to Agence France-Presse anonymously described the police tactics as "really mobile," noting that officers would disperse marches before they had even fully formed.

In Orleans, thousands of people marched against a congress hosted by Marine Le Pen and her National Rally party. Le Pen is using the event to launch her campaign to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, with elections scheduled for six months from now. Current surveys indicate Le Pen is best placed to win the presidency. Protesters chanted slogans demanding Macron resign and Le Pen go to prison. Police counted 11,000 participants, while organizers claimed the number was 26,000. The march, involving around 50 groups including unions and student organizations, ended peacefully early in the afternoon.

Paris presented a different picture, with authorities describing the mood as calm. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Porte d'Italie for the city's only authorized march. Police had moved the location from the popular Bastille area to a more remote southeastern edge at the last minute. Union representative Murielle Guilbert called this move "scandalous," arguing that wages have not yet risen to the level they should. A student named Lucas told CBS Saturday Morning that it is normal for people to be angry under these conditions.

The ongoing unrest has significantly disrupted daily life and major events in the capital. Many businesses have boarded up their storefronts, and major museums remain closed. The Art Basel festival opened for only one day on Friday before organizers canceled the weekend program. The first NFL game in France, featuring the New Orleans Saints, remains scheduled for Sunday, though some related venues were shut down on Saturday. A soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais was also moved from Sunday to Monday night. Last weekend, approximately 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted.

The protests initially began last month with high school students in southeastern Paris demanding better conditions. The movement quickly widened as people demanded relief from rising living costs. The Yellow Vests, who emerged about eight years ago to protest against Macron, have announced they will hold further demonstrations on October 31. They plan rallies and a sit-in outside parliament and city halls, condemning the government's "authoritarian drift."

The unrest has also spread to other parts of Europe. In Italy, additional soldiers were sent to Milan following looting and clashes. Premier Giorgia Meloni announced tougher penalties for minors, who made up a large portion of the violent crowd. In Albania's capital Tirana, riot police used water cannons on students demanding lower tuition and an end to corruption in education. Thousands of retirees marched in Madrid over pension concerns, and a housing protest was expected in Lisbon.

As the second weekend of protests concludes, the focus now turns to the upcoming actions by the Yellow Vests and the continued political maneuvering by key figures like Le Pen. The significant disruption to economic and cultural activities in Paris and other cities highlights the growing tension between the government and the public over economic stability.