A new wave of protests has broken out in France: 135 people were arrested, 70,000 security forces were brought out into the streets

In France, 135 people were arrested during nationwide protests on October 24, and the authorities deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes to maintain order. Amid the protests, sparked by dissatisfaction with the rising cost of living and the funding of public services, the “yellow vest” movement called for new demonstrations on October 31.

This is reported by BFMTV .

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunes reported that as of 1:00 p.m. on October 24, law enforcement officers had detained 135 people. According to him, metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, homemade weapons, a katana, and airsoft guns were seized during the checks.

Nunez also said that 136 street protests were recorded during the day. For comparison, there were 264 at the same time on October 17. The number of people in public places on October 24 was 35,000 compared to 60,000 a week earlier.

To maintain public order, the authorities mobilized 70,000 police and gendarmes. In Paris, security at government facilities was tightened, some metro stations were closed, and some cultural institutions were closed. Shopkeepers in central areas of the capital protected their windows for fear of riots.

Trade unions, students, and representatives of the “yellow vest” movement joined the protests. Among the demands of the participants were higher wages, improved living conditions, and increased government spending on education and social services.

In Lyon, according to incoming reports, a second wave of protests is underway, accompanied by clashes with police and looting. It is also reported that the European Union is investigating possible Russian involvement in information operations surrounding the unrest, including the distribution of old videos from the 2024 Tbilisi protests under the guise of footage from France.

Separately, the “yellow vest” movement called for new rallies and sit-ins on October 31 outside parliament buildings and city halls across the country. Organizers spoke out against President Emmanuel Macron’s policies and urged citizens to defend civil liberties.

“Next Saturday we will protest for the freedom to protest and for all our freedoms,” said the coordinator of the “yellow vest” movement in Paris.

Meanwhile, European regulators are investigating whether foreign states tried to influence the unrest in France and outbreaks of violence in other countries. They are paying particular attention to possible Russian disinformation campaigns.

By the way, on Saturday, October 17, nationwide protests against the high cost of living took place in Paris and other cities in France , during which clashes occurred between demonstrators and police. As of noon, about 140 actions were recorded outside Paris, involving more than 32,000 people, and law enforcement officers detained more than 160 people across the country.

Recall that large-scale protests by high school students are ongoing in France, which began due to problems in the education system and spread to various cities in the country . Since the beginning of the actions, 1,949 people have been detained, 305 police officers and 65 school employees have been injured, including 40 principals.

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