French authorities are bracing for potential violence during Saturday’s protests against rising living costs, coinciding with Halloween celebrations. In response to fears of unrest similar to that seen two weeks ago, the government has mobilized 70,000 police and gendarmes, according to reports from AFP.
The Paris Interior Ministry is particularly concerned about social media posts containing the words “revolution” and “insurrection.” Between 550,000 and 800,000 individuals participated in protests on October 17, which were marked by chaos, including looting of stores, arson of public buildings, and clashes with law enforcement.
This renewed security concern comes six months ahead of presidential elections, where far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is currently favored in polls.
In light of numerous calls for looting circulating on social media, Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez confirmed on Thursday that the security measures established on October 24 to protect stores would remain in place and be strengthened. He warned of a day with a “very high risk of public order disturbances.” The previous week’s march saw participation estimates ranging from 410,000 to 800,000, already under the watch of approximately 70,000 law enforcement officials, in a climate of relatively low violence.
Authorized Demonstration in Paris
For this Saturday, 350 actions are registered, potentially gathering between 350,000 and 450,000 participants, according to a police source. Some police have described the situation as a “pre-insurrectional climate,” as reported by AFP.
Authorities have sought to authorize protests away from city centers, with an approved route in Paris stretching from Porte Bagnolet to Porte Charenton in the eastern suburbs. The prefecture has also prohibited other routes scheduled for Saturday.
FAGE, the federation of student associations in France, criticized what it termed “a new restriction on the right to protest” following the State Council’s ban on the initial route through Paris.
According to the Alliance of Commerce, representing large retail chains and shops in city centers, there is significant anxiety among merchants. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI France) noted that out of 2,500 affected stores, 600 have yet to reopen in France.
On Friday, several stores barricaded themselves, particularly in the area around the Paris Opera, an AFP photographer observed.
A new state of emergency has also been declared in certain areas of Paris for the nights of Saturday to Sunday and Sunday to Monday, from 11 PM local time (10 PM GMT) until 6 AM, a measure that has been increasingly implemented in various cities across France in recent days. This heightened alert level allows French authorities to restrict movement and establish protection and security zones.
“The Halloween Night Pretext”
In Bordeaux, in southwest France, a protest has been authorized by the prefecture, although officials anticipate a “difficult day” and the potential for violent actions, expressing concern over a route deemed too close to the city center.
Lyon’s prefecture has approved a march outside the historic center, which still bears the scars of the October 17 violence when a tourism office building was set ablaze. In Marseille, the second-largest city in France, only “declared” gatherings will be permitted, while a protest in Rennes has been banned due to a lack of agreement with organizing unions regarding the route.
Minister Laurent Nuñez cautioned that “the Halloween night pretext” would not be a valid reason for individuals to conceal their faces in public spaces for the purpose of causing public disorder. According to the law, wearing a mask in public during occasions like Halloween is permitted but is banned near protests.
This marks the third consecutive Saturday of protests across France against rising living costs, a movement spurred by student actions. Several demonstrators, including minors, have been seriously injured or maimed since mid-September during enforcement operations. The Interior Minister reported that 1,193 police and gendarmes have been injured during these events.
