PARIS (Azat TV) – French authorities have deployed heavy security forces, closed major museums, and shuttered commercial districts across Paris and other major cities as the country braces for another weekend of nationwide demonstrations over the soaring cost of living, according to an CBS News report.
Police have arrested dozens of individuals and deployed tear gas in several locations following previous weekends of civil unrest that saw extensive property damage, street fires, and looting across France. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that 135 people had been detained by Saturday afternoon, with security forces confiscating various prohibited items including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, improvised weapons, a katana, and airsoft gear.
Unprecedented Security Measures and Venue Closures
Ahead of the demonstrations, the French government authorized the deployment of up to 70,000 officers nationwide, supplemented by armored vehicles, water cannons, and helicopters. In Paris, authorities ordered the main authorized march moved from the central Bastille district to the more remote Porte d’Italie on the southeastern edge of the city. Union organizers reluctantly agreed to the route change, though representatives criticized the administration for restricting public assembly rights.
Cultural and sporting events have also faced major disruptions. Major Parisian museums remain closed, and Art Basel cut its contemporary art fair program short after only one day due to security concerns. Retailers across the capital spent the week constructing wooden barricades and protective panels over storefronts, following reports that approximately 3,000 shops sustained damage or looting during the previous week’s demonstrations.
Political Tensions and Regional Demonstrations
Beyond the capital, protests have intersected with broader political battles. In Orleans, thousands marched against a congress hosted by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party as she campaigns to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in upcoming elections. While local police estimated the crowd at 11,000 participants, organizers claimed 26,000 people attended the demonstration, which brought together labor unions, student groups, and left-wing organizations.
In Lyon, where demonstrations were officially banned by authorities, police fired tear gas after approximately 150 protesters attempted to block a roadway near the city center. Meanwhile, international events in Paris faced schedule adjustments; a scheduled Ligue 1 soccer fixture between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais was postponed to Monday night, while the NFL confirmed that its historic game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers remains scheduled for Sunday, though surrounding fan engagement venues were temporarily closed.
Economic Grievances and Ongoing Outlook
The protest movement originally erupted when high school students in southeastern Paris demonstrated over educational conditions, but quickly expanded into a nationwide cry for economic relief. Union leaders and student representatives maintain that wages have failed to keep pace with inflation and basic living expenses. With Yellow Vest organizers already calling for fresh demonstrations ahead of Halloween, government officials face mounting pressure to address the underlying economic discontent while maintaining public order.