PARIS, France | More than 400,000 people demonstrated across France on Saturday, October 24, against rising living costs, education funding shortages and government policies, while clashes broke out in Paris and other cities despite a nationwide security operation, according to France’s Interior Ministry and reports by The Guardian and Euronews.
The Interior Ministry estimated nationwide participation at 410,000, including about 110,000 in Paris, while trade unions put the turnout at roughly 800,000. Authorities reported nearly 1,000 arrests as police used tear gas, water cannon and other crowd-control measures to disperse violent groups. Most demonstrations were initially peaceful, according to The Guardian.
The protests began with high school students demanding more teachers, improved school facilities and additional education funding. The movement expanded to include workers, unions, parents and other demonstrators concerned about the cost of living, rising fuel prices, inequality and the handling of public protests.
In Paris, clashes erupted near Porte de Vincennes after the main march. Groups of masked individuals threw stones and bottles at police, while officers responded with tear gas, water cannon and stun grenades. Clashes or police interventions were also reported in Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Toulouse, Montpellier, Nantes and other cities, according to The Guardian and Euronews. At least two people were reported seriously injured in separate incidents.
The French Interior Ministry had announced heightened security measures ahead of the demonstrations, following violence and looting during protests on October 17. In its October 23 statement, the ministry said prefects had been instructed to assess planned demonstrations, consider restrictions where there was a risk of disorder, coordinate routes with mayors and conduct checks at transport hubs. Special police and security units were also placed on alert.
More than 70,000 police officers were deployed nationwide for Saturday’s demonstrations, according to The Guardian. The government’s restrictions on some protests, particularly gatherings not organized by recognized trade unions, drew criticism from demonstrators and political opponents who argued that the measures limited the right to protest.
The unrest follows weeks of growing social tension that began with student demonstrations in September. France has a long history of mass protest movements, including the Yellow Vest demonstrations of 2018 and 2019, which began over fuel taxes and broadened into wider grievances about purchasing power, inequality and political representation.
The latest demonstrations pose another challenge for President Emmanuel Macron’s government as it seeks to restore public order while responding to demands for better public services and relief from economic pressures. The competing estimates from the government and trade unions also underscore the scale of the mobilization and the continuing political divisions over its causes and demands.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
