Mass protests and clashes took place across France
Nearly 1,000 people were arrested across France on Saturday as protests over school funding and rising living costs entered a second weekend. The Interior Ministry counted 410,000 participants nationwide, while unions said the figure was twice as high. About 70,000 security personnel were mobilised; AFP reported one demonstrator lost a hand to a police crowd-control grenade.
More context
Nearly 1,000 people were arrested across France on Saturday as a second weekend of mass protests over school funding and the cost of living was marred by clashes, authorities said. The Interior Ministry estimated turnout at 410,000 nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris. Unions put the national figure at twice that, while the CGT estimated 250,000 protesters in Paris. Authorities deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes, 10,000 more than the previous week, after officials acknowledged underestimating unrest on 17 October. Most marches were peaceful, but clashes were reported in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Rennes. In Marseille, protesters set rubbish bins alight and threw rocks and bottles at security forces; looting was also reported. Police used tear gas in Clermont-Ferrand, Lille, Nantes and Nice. AFP reported that a demonstrator lost a hand to a police crowd-control grenade.
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Reporting
- BBC News — Almost 1,000 arrested as clashes follow another day of mass protests across France - BBC News
- Euronews — Almost 1,000 arrests across France as protesters clashed with police | Euronews
- CNN — France sees another weekend of mass protests, with nearly 1,000 detained | CNN
- CNBC — Violence flares in Paris after largely peaceful protests across France
- ABC News (Australia) — Almost 1,000 arrested as violence flares across France amid largely peaceful protests - ABC News
- The Independent — Protesters clash with police in Paris as demonstrations turn hostile across France
Verifier’s note
Multiple publishers report mass protests across France on Saturday, with clashes in Paris and other cities, matching the proposed event and its timing. The reports describe the demonstrations as mostly peaceful overall, but confirm that clashes occurred.