France Deploys 70,000 Security Forces for Halloween Protests
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez is deploying 70,000 security forces on October 31 to prevent urban riots and violent gatherings coinciding with Halloween.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez will deploy 70,000 security forces on October 31 to prevent urban violence and riots coinciding with Halloween. Nunez characterized the date as a "very high risk" for public order, noting that the risk of urban riots is "very high from early evening until late at night." The security surge follows social media calls from the labor movement, the radicalized far left, and the Yellow Vests for unregistered marches and violent gatherings starting at 8:00 p.m. in multiple cities.
President Emmanuel Macron also labeled the planned demonstrations as "high risk" and demanded that any marches occur outside city centers. These tensions follow a period of significant unrest, including looting and vandalism on October 17 and a nationwide march the previous Saturday that drew 410,000 people, including 110,000 in Paris.
Protesters, including students and labor unions, are demonstrating against the high cost of living, wages, public services, and school equipment. The Yellow Vests movement has announced a "third act" of protests featuring rallies and sit-ins outside town halls and the National Assembly. Further disruption is expected with a nationwide strike scheduled for November 5.
