On Saturday, 31 October, France saw its third consecutive nationwide protest against the rising cost of living. According to the interior ministry, about 320,000 people took part and 565 were detained.
What is known
According to ministry figures cited by Ukrinform, the previous weekend’s protests drew roughly 410,000 people, so turnout was lower this time. Organisers put the figure at almost 500,000. Such gaps between official and organiser estimates are typical.
Most marches were peaceful. However, at the end of the protests clashes with police broke out in several cities. In Paris, where about 70,000 people gathered, some masked participants threw stones at officers and set objects on fire; police used tear gas. In Lyon police also used tear gas, and in Toulouse water cannon were used to disperse an unauthorised rally.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called the violence by some participants after the peaceful marches “extraordinary” and said a Molotov cocktail was thrown at one special-unit officer. According to the Paris police prefecture, several officers were injured.
Context
Ahead of the protests the authorities deployed about 70,000 security personnel to prevent a repeat of 17 October, when riots and looting hit Paris and other cities. Some areas of Paris were restricted, and shop owners boarded up their windows.
The protests began over high prices and falling incomes, then broadened to include school conditions and the right to peaceful assembly. According to France 24, this time the day was less violent than 17 October.
President Emmanuel Macron said social media harms democracy because it is used to draw people into attacks and looting during protests.
Sources: Ukrinform, France 24.
