World

France Sees Third Weekend of Large Protests Amid Rising Tensions

By Al Jazeera Staff

Authorities reported that 320,000 people marched across France on Saturday, the third consecutive weekend of demonstrations over the cost of living and the state of schools. A coalition of youth organisations and unions representing high school and university students said nearly half a million people took part, including 200,000 in Paris. The national turnout was put at 320,000, with 70,000 in the capital.

In Paris, the marches began peacefully but turned violent near the point where the main march was scheduled to end. Protesters set bins and street furniture on fire, and smoke rose over the city. Police fired tear gas into the crowd, prompting Al Jazeera reporter Natacha Butler to say her team had to move out of the way because it was “simply too much for us to breathe.” Riot police warned over loudspeakers that they would fire more tear gas if protesters did not clear the street. Medics carried away injured people, while some protesters raised their hands to show they meant no harm.

Dozens of masked individuals dressed in black used hammers to pry up paving stones and hurled them at police on the outskirts of Paris, according to AFP. At least one incendiary device was thrown at security forces, who responded with tear gas and baton charges. France’s Ministry of Interior said at least 290 people nationwide had been arrested.

Protesters say trust in the government has eroded. Butler noted that many condemned the violence but blamed the government for failing to listen. The government says it has heard the protesters. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu held several meetings with student unions this week and is looking at measures to ease the cost of living.

About 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed across the country, and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned of a “very high risk” of disorder, especially after dark on Halloween. The main Paris march was moved to the city’s eastern edge after a last‑minute court battle, and unaccompanied minors faced a 9 pm (20:00 GMT) curfew around the Champs‑Elysees.

The movement began last month with high school students protesting against neglected buildings, teacher shortages and a university admissions system seen as unfair to disadvantaged students. Labour unions have since joined.

Protests have spread across Europe. On October 17, protests drew more than 500,000 people and turned into some of France’s worst rioting in years, with shops in Paris looted. In Germany, thousands rallied in Cologne while police used water cannon to break up large crowds protesting rising costs, education cuts and plans for military conscription. Organisers said 170,000 people had registered for demonstrations in more than 30 cities. In Barcelona, Spain, regional police prepared their highest alert level after rioting on October 24 led to about 130 arrests, mostly of minors. Italian police were also on alert after clashes in Milan, Turin and Bologna.