France Deploys 70,000 Personnel to Curb Nationwide Protests

The French government deployed 70,000 security personnel across the country on Saturday, October 24, to manage protests over soaring living costs and school funding. The mobilization followed a weekend of riots on October 17 and 18 that left 3,000 businesses hit nationwide and resulted in 2,700 arrests. In Paris, authorities restricted a trade union-led march to the city's southeastern edge, while the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay closed their doors. Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand.

Emmanuel Macron attributed the previous unrest to organized ultra-left groups attempting to bring down the Republic, though he acknowledged failures of anticipation regarding the initial riots. Tensions remained high as thousands also protested in Orléans against the National Rally party during its presidential campaign launch congress led by Marine Le Pen.

Public outcry preceded the Saturday mobilization after Paris Police Prefect Patrice Faure advised shopkeepers to hire private security and dog-handler teams. While Faure later admitted to clumsiness in his wording, many retailers responded by barricading storefronts or purchasing weapons. Amnesty International condemned the government's security measures and restrictions on assembly as a slide toward authoritarian practice.