70,000 officers deployed as France enters second wave of protests

Thousands of residents marched through Paris on Saturday, navigating a route that local authorities had narrowed to the southeastern edge of the city. The demonstration was part of a second nationwide wave of protests focusing on deteriorating school infrastructure and rising living costs. Participants included students, teachers, nurses, and union members who chanted slogans and demanded political change.

The unrest began in mid-September when high school students blockaded schools to protest dilapidated buildings and teacher shortages. On October 17, more than 500,000 people took to the streets. Although that day started peacefully, it ended with widespread looting and clashes. Official figures recorded over 2,000 arrests and extensive damage to businesses. President Emmanuel Macron met with student representatives on Friday for the first time since the movement began.

Macron promised additional teachers and a major overhaul of the Parcoursup university admission system. Student representatives stated they would continue mobilizing until the government provides concrete actions. The current demonstrations follow a week of intense activity, with authorities aiming to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend's disruptions.

In Paris, the permitted march route runs from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes along the Boulevards des Marechaux. This route replaces an originally negotiated path between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation, which was banned. Authorities also prohibited protests organized by groups other than unions. The change caused friction among participants who felt the restrictions were designed to weaken the movement.

Emma, a protester and podcaster, described the route change as a tactic to drain energy from the movement. Monica, a retired educator, said the decision gave the impression that authorities wanted to make the movement invisible. Neither provided a surname. In central Paris, many businesses closed early, and shop windows were covered with protective panels. At least 24 metro stations closed at the request of the police prefecture.

Cultural institutions also adjusted their schedules for the day. The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay closed their doors, and Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend program. Nationwide, authorities deployed more than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that 20 percent more officers were on duty than the previous weekend. The elite RAID unit supported police operations rather than directly managing crowds.

By early Saturday afternoon, police reported arresting at least 135 people nationwide and seizing various weapons. They described the general situation as calm. Protests were banned in the downtown areas of Montpellier, Rouen, and Nice. In Marseille, a union march proceeded under strict conditions. In Lyon, police used tear gas to disperse approximately 150 demonstrators. The Yellow Vest movement has announced a separate protest for October 31.

The political backdrop is tense with a presidential election six months away. Macron is barred from seeking a third term and must leave office in 2027. Marine Le Pen leads recent polls by a wide margin. In Orleans, her National Rally held a party congress while thousands of protesters shouted anti-fascist slogans. Authorities expected between 20,000 and 30,000 people to join a counter-demonstration in the city.