Nearly half a million people have demonstrated across France, including 200,000 in Paris, according to a coalition of youth organisations and unions representing high school and university students.
Authorities put Saturday’s nationwide turnout at 320,000, including 70,000 in the French capital. A week earlier, officials counted 410,000 protesters across France, including 110,000 in Paris.
The third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests focused on high living costs and police violence. Demonstrations were largely peaceful before tensions flared at the end of marches in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities.
Some demonstrators wore Halloween costumes and carried placards reading: “No need for tear gas to make our future look bleak” and “Dressed up as an angry citizen for Halloween.”
Clashes in several cities
In Lyon, tensions emerged after some demonstrators tried to leave the authorised route near Place Jean Mace and move towards the city centre, prompting police to use tear gas, according to Franceinfo. Projectiles were also thrown at officers.
In Grenoble, southeastern France, police used tear gas after initial tensions near Place Gustave Rivet, where a march split into two.
In Marseille, clashes broke out at the front of an unauthorised march, with protesters throwing paving stones at riot police blocking Boulevard Chave. Officers responded by charging the crowd, while the march continued towards Saint-Charles railway station.
Police used water cannon against an unauthorised protest involving several thousand people in Toulouse. Scuffles were also reported in Rennes and Nantes.
In Paris, a march that began at Porte de Bagnolet reached Porte de Charenton, the endpoint of the authorised route, where clashes broke out.
Dozens of masked people dressed in black used hammers to pry up paving stones and hurl them at police. At least one incendiary device was also thrown. Officers responded with tear gas and several baton charges.
The Paris police prefecture said “a hard core of several hundred rioters” at the rear of the march attacked officers with projectiles, including a Molotov cocktail.
Arrests decline
Earlier in the afternoon, the Interior Ministry described the situation nationwide as “generally calm, with no notable incidents”.
The number of arrests fell sharply compared with the 217 recorded at the equivalent reporting point on October 24.
The ministry said security arrangements remained adapted to the situation and warned that police would show “the greatest firmness” towards anyone responsible for violence or damage.
Fresh school blockades planned
The protest movement, bringing together Yellow Vest activists, trade unions, and high school and university students, initially focused on rising living costs, inequality and deteriorating learning conditions.
Following a security crackdown and serious injuries to some protesters, its demands broadened to include greater protection of civil liberties and the right to protest.
Student unions vowed to stage fresh blockades of high schools and universities next week, while criticising the decision not to authorise a march through central Paris.
“Starting this Tuesday, we will blockade our universities and high schools, and we will do so again on Thursday before joining the demonstration on November 5 called by workers and trade unions,” said Sabrine Kharbach, spokeswoman for Union Etudiante.
