Paris protests intensify with over 1 lakh marching against rising living costs
text_fields
About 110,000 people marched in Paris on Saturday over rising living costs, school conditions and strained public services, with police using tear gas and water cannon during clashes.
The demonstration took place under heavy security as authorities sought to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend’s violence. Police patrols were increased and demonstrations restricted in several cities.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment of about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide, roughly 10,000 more than during the October 17 protests.
The operation included specialist police units supported by helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannon. Elite security teams and soldiers serving in France’s anti-terrorism military operation were also deployed to protect sensitive public buildings and prominent locations.
Several major Paris attractions closed as a precaution, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Picasso Museum and Grand Palais, which is hosting an exhibition of works by Paul Cézanne.
The Tuileries Gardens were sealed off, while the Paris Opera closed both the Palais Garnier and Opéra Bastille, citing the safety of staff and visitors.
Businesses spent the week preparing for possible violence. Shopkeepers boarded up windows, reinforced entrances and hired additional security to protect against looting and vandalism.
The precautions followed demonstrations on October 17, when more than 500,000 people took to the streets across France, according to AP.
That weekend’s unrest included looting, fires, vandalism and attacks on public buildings. About 3,000 shops and businesses were reportedly damaged or looted.