France Stationed 70,000 Officers to Guard Second Wave of Student Protests

Tensions across France escalated on Saturday as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in a coordinated second wave of protests. The marches, which target deteriorating school conditions and rising living costs, began one week after the country experienced some of its most violent riots in years. Organizers sought to sustain momentum from the previous weekend while navigating new logistical restrictions imposed by local governments.

In Paris, the main march proceeded along a designated route on the city's southeastern edge. Authorities permitted the procession to travel from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes along the Boulevards des Marechaux. This itinerary replaced a previously negotiated central route between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation, which was subsequently banned. Local officials also prohibited demonstrations organized by groups other than unions, a decision that frustrated many participants.

Protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the last-minute route change. Emma, a podcaster and demonstrator, described the move as a tactic designed to drain energy from the movement. Monica, a retired public education employee, stated that the restriction made the movement appear invisible to the public. Neither individual provided a surname. The crowd included students, teachers, nurses, ecologists, and union representatives who chanted slogans and danced. Some groups called for President Emmanuel Macron to resign, while others declared themselves anti-fascist.

Preparations for potential unrest were visible throughout central Paris. Many businesses closed their doors, and shop windows were covered with protective panels. Some retailers hired private security personnel to guard their premises. At the request of the police prefecture, at least 24 metro stations closed their doors for the day. Major cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, suspended their operations, and Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend programming.

National authorities deployed more than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that this force was 20 percent larger than the deployment from the previous weekend. The elite RAID unit supported standard police operations rather than managing crowds directly. By early Saturday afternoon, police reported arresting at least 135 people nationwide and seizing various weapons. Officials characterized the overall situation as calm despite the large presence of security forces.

In other cities, authorities enforced strict conditions for public gatherings. Protests were banned in the downtown areas of Montpellier, Rouen, and Nice. A union march in Marseille received authorization under specific constraints, while police in Lyon fired tear gas to disperse approximately 150 demonstrators. The Yellow Vest movement announced that it would hold its own protest on October 31.

The current unrest stems from student blockades in mid-September, triggered by complaints about dilapidated buildings, teacher shortages, and the university admission system. On Friday, President Macron met with student representatives for the first time since the protests began. He promised additional teachers and a major overhaul of Parcoursup, the national university application platform. Students indicated they would continue mobilizing until the government presents concrete actions. More than 500,000 people had marched on October 17.

The political context is heightened by a presidential election scheduled for six months from now. President Macron is barred from seeking a third consecutive term and is set to leave office in 2027. Marine Le Pen, who leads recent polls by a wide margin, is campaigning on a law and order platform. In Orleans, thousands of people shouted anti-fascist slogans while her National Rally party held a congress to launch its campaign. Authorities expected between 20,000 and 30,000 people to join a counter-demonstration in the city.