France deploys 70,000 police for second weekend of cost-of-living unrest

European street protests have intensified this week, with France entering a second consecutive weekend of demonstrations driven by rising living costs. Authorities moved quickly to contain the unrest, deploying heavy security forces to major cities to prevent a repeat of the violence seen in the previous seven days.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that 135 people were arrested on Saturday. Police seized a variety of items from demonstrators, including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, airsoft guns, and a katana. Nuñez told reporters that there had been no major incident in the country so far. The government mobilized up to 70,000 officers, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons.

In Lyon, where demonstrations were officially banned, approximately 150 protesters near the city center attempted to block a road. Police responded with tear gas to clear the area. A 21-year-old student speaking to Agence France-Presse described the police presence as highly mobile, noting that officers disperse marches before they fully form. In Orleans, thousands marched against a congress hosted by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party. Le Pen is using the event to launch her campaign to succeed Emmanuel Macron in elections held six months from now. Surveys currently place Le Pen in the best position to win the presidency.

Police in Orleans counted 11,000 participants, while organizers claimed the number reached 26,000. Around 50 groups, including unions, left-wing parties, and student organizations, called for the protest. Demonstrators chanted slogans targeting both Macron and Le Pen. French media reported the event ended peacefully in the early afternoon. Le Pen’s congress is scheduled to continue through Sunday.

In Paris, authorities described the mood as calm as hundreds gathered at the Porte d'Italie for the city’s only authorized march. Police moved the location from the Bastille to the southeastern edge of the city at the last minute. Union representative Murielle Guilbert called the relocation scandalous, arguing that Macron has barred protesters from demonstrating where they wish. Wages have not yet risen to the levels demanded by labor groups. Student Lucas told CBS Saturday Morning that it is normal for people to be angry given current economic conditions.

The unrest has disrupted daily life and cultural events across the capital. Major museums remain closed, and many businesses have boarded up their windows. Art Basel opened on Friday for a single day, with organizers cancelling the weekend program. The first NFL game in France, featuring the New Orleans Saints, remains scheduled for Sunday, though some related venues were shut on Saturday. A soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais, originally planned for Sunday, has been moved to Monday night.

The protests began last month when high school students in southeastern Paris demonstrated for better conditions. The movement widened as people demanded relief from rising costs. The Yellow Vests, a group that emerged eight years ago to protest against Macron, announced plans for more demonstrations on October 31. They intend to hold rallies and a sit-in outside parliament and city halls, criticizing the government's authoritarian drift. Around 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted during the previous weekend.