France assigns 70,000 officers for student march

French authorities deployed more than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country on Saturday to secure a second wave of mass protests. The security operation was designed to prevent a repeat of the violence seen on October 17, when largely peaceful demonstrations turned into widespread looting and clashes. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that officer numbers were 20 percent higher than the previous weekend. The elite RAID unit supported general police operations rather than directly managing crowds.

Thousands of demonstrators marched through Paris from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes. Local officials permitted this route along the Boulevards des Marechaux after banning an originally negotiated central itinerary between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. Authorities also prohibited protests organized by groups other than unions. The last-minute route change frustrated participants. Emma, a podcaster and protester, described the move as a government tactic to drain the movement of energy. Monica, a retired public education worker, said the decision made the movement appear invisible to authorities.

The crowd included students, teachers, ecologists, nurses, and union representatives. Marchers chanted slogans such as "Too many billionaires; We are preparing the revolution" and "We are all anti-fascists." Some called for President Emmanuel Macron to resign. In central Paris, many businesses closed and covered shop windows with protective panels. Retailers hired private security, and at least 24 metro stations closed at the request of the police prefecture. The Louvre and Musee d'Orsay closed for the day, and Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend programme.

Police reported the situation remained calm by early Saturday afternoon. Officers arrested at least 135 people nationwide and seized various weapons. Protests were banned in the downtown areas of Montpellier, Rouen, and Nice. In Marseille, a union march proceeded under strict conditions. In Lyon, police fired tear gas to disperse about 150 demonstrators. The Yellow Vest movement announced its own protest for October 31.

The unrest began in mid-September when high school students blockaded schools over dilapidated buildings, teacher shortages, and an unfair university admission system. On Friday, Macron met with student representatives for the first time since the protests started. He promised more teachers and a deep overhaul of Parcoursup. Student leaders said they would continue mobilizing until the government presented concrete actions. More than half a million people took to the streets on October 17.

The turmoil occurs about six months before a presidential election. Macron is barred from a third consecutive term and will leave office in 2027. Marine Le Pen leads recent polls by a wide margin and has campaigned on restoring law and order. In Orleans, thousands shouted anti-fascist slogans as her National Rally held a party congress. Authorities expected 20,000 to 30,000 people to join a counter-demonstration.