Despite bans on demonstrations and the deployment of the military: 800,000 again on the streets of France

The French state is responding to the protests against cuts and rising prices with bans on gatherings, curfews and special forces. Around 800,000 people took to the streets again on Saturday and around 1,000 were arrested. The next big day of protest has been announced for October 31st.

For a little over a month, students, workers and students have been calling for self-organized protests against the broken education system and the rising cost of living in France. Just last Saturday, over 800,000 people took to the streets against the austerity policy.

Day of action in France: 800,000 against the austerity policy

In recent weeks there has been massive police violence, two people have died in connection with the protests and there are numerous seriously injured people. Nevertheless, around 800,000 people took to the streets again on Saturday.

Curfews and bans on demonstrations

The authorities have banned further protests this Saturday, including demonstrations in theLyon city center. MoreDemonstrations bannedwere valid in Nancy, Metz, Belfort, Rouen, Le Havre, Toulon and Limoges. The route of the demonstration in Paris was quickly relocated to the southeast of the city and shortened. In Marseille only one union rally was tolerated. President Macron had previously said that only “legitimate organizations” such as trade unions could apply to the police prefecture for permission to demonstrate. In addition, nighttime curfews and bans on gatherings were imposed in the metropolises of Marseille, Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice and Lille.

Curfews and bans on demonstrations in France

Despite the autumn break, school and student groups continued to mobilize for protests. Among other things, they used social media to draw attention to rallies and protests.

Use of the military and seriously injured demonstrators

In addition to armored vehicles and helicopters were70,000Emergency forces mobilized: police and gendarmerie, special units and parts of the military. The Raid (special unit of the National Police), the Opération Sentinelle (anti-terror mission of the armed forces in the country) and the GIGN (special unit of the Gendarmerie Nationale) were among those deployed.

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There were again massive injuries due to explosions during the protests on Saturday. Interior Minister Nuñez reported to journalists about two seriously injured people in Clermont-Ferrand and Toulouse. LoudDeclarationsAccording to authorities, a 20-year-old suffered a serious hand injury and lost several fingers in an explosion. Around 1,000 people were arrested and police used water cannons and tear gas against demonstrators in several cities.

Anti-fascist demonstration in Orléans

On Saturday we haveOrleansAccording to the organizers, around 26,000 people demonstrated against the Rassemblement National (RN) party conference. Around 50 organizations from the left spectrum called for the protest march through the city center. The originally planned route was changed by the authorities in order to spatially separate the demonstration from the party conference.

Meanwhile, the RN confirmed Jordan Bardella, who has been at the party's leadership since 2022 and was the only candidate, in office with 98.98 percent of the vote. According to the parliamentary channel LCP, voter turnout among members was almost 68 percent. The congress lasts until Sunday, for which a major party event with Marine Le Pen has been announced.

Yellow vest movement plans further protests

Already during the current day of protestquitThe yellow vest movement is announcing new demonstrations for the coming week. There should be a “3rd act” on October 31st, the organizers of the past events announced on their website. There are calls for sit-ins and rallies in front of the National Assembly and all town halls in France. As a result, there will be a protest event next Friday in which noise will be created with various kitchen utensils such as pots and pans.

Also inGermanymobilize pupils and students under the motto “Gen Z takes care of it” for demonstrations on October 31st against cuts and conscription.

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