Hundreds of thousands rally across France as demonstrations turn hostile: protesters clash with police in Paris

Rallies give way to clashes

The main march drew at least 110,000 people to the southeastern outskirts of Paris. After the rally ended, riot police used tear gas and water cannon against a crowd of about 500 masked youths, who dispersed in cold, wet weather.

In Marseille, young protesters set rubbish bins alight to block roads and threw stones and bottles at officers. Police said several businesses, including two jewellery shops, were looted. Across the country, demonstrations were largely peaceful before evening confrontations began.

Arrests and reported injuries

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said nearly 1,000 people were arrested. He described an “extremely elevated level of violence” from black-clad people he called “ultra-left,” and blamed far-left activists and organised criminal groups for inciting disorder.

Nunez said 135 arrests took place before the main marches, and that police seized weapons including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, improvised weapons, a katana sword and airsoft guns. Paris police later reported 65 arrests in the capital. Two people were seriously injured, Nunez said: one in Toulouse and another in Clermont-Ferrand.

Security tightened across France

Authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, 10,000 more than the previous week. Officials had acknowledged underestimating the unrest on 17 October. Nunez said the violence was less severe this time, adding, “What changed was anticipation.”

Trade associations urged shopkeepers to close after damage or looting at thousands of commercial premises the previous weekend. The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the Paris Opera also closed as a precaution. Nunez said far-right activists had tried to confront leftist groups in Nice and Montpellier.

Movement spreads beyond France

The movement began with small student demonstrations in Paris suburbs last month over school conditions, then grew into opposition to government economic policies. Similar protests took place in neighbouring European countries.

Public unease and political tension

Some protesters said the government had responded too forcefully to the previous week’s disorder, when military personnel were assigned to patrol the Champs-Élysées. One woman said she and a friend had nearly stayed home because they were afraid, but came because “it’s important not to let repression win.” Tensions were also heightened by a shooting west of Paris on Friday. A gunman suspected of acting from Islamophobic hatred killed one person and injured four others, including a 12-year-old girl.