Paris:Clashes between protesters and police erupted in several French cities during nationwide demonstrations on Saturday. Police deployed tear gas in Lyon and Grenoble as approximately 15,000 people participated in 65 actions across the country, according to local media reports.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, tensions in Lyon arose when some demonstrators attempted to veer off the authorized protest route towards the city center near Place Jean Mace, prompting police to use tear gas. The prefecture later reported 19,000 demonstrators, with one person sustaining a minor leg injury and six arrests made.
In Grenoble, police also resorted to tear gas after initial tensions near Place Gustave Rivet, where a march split in two. The Isere prefecture noted the presence of a group of 200 individuals identified as 'black bloc' who temporarily divided the march and hurled projectiles at police.
In Marseille, clashes occurred at the front of an unauthorized march, with protesters throwing paving stones at riot police on Boulevard Chave. Officers charged the crowd, and the march proceeded towards Saint-Charles train station. The local prefecture estimated up to 10,000 participants, with tensions rising around 4 pm (1500GMT) due to projectile throwing.
Additional scuffles were reported in Toulouse, Rennes, and Nantes. In Paris, a peaceful march from Porte de Bagnolet to Porte de Charenton ended with clashes in the 12th arrondissement, where an explosive device injured a police officer. The Interior Ministry reported 200 to 300 'rioters' confronted law enforcement.
Despite incidents in various cities, the Interior Ministry described the overall situation as 'generally calm' by mid-afternoon. Participation figures were noted to be lower than previous mobilization days. The Interior Ministry recorded 320,000 demonstrators nationwide, with 70,000 in Paris, although the youth trade union alliance estimated nearly 500,000 nationwide, including 200,000 in the capital.
By 6 pm (1700GMT), the Interior Ministry recorded 296 detentions nationwide, with 61 in Paris by 6.45 pm (1745GMT). Interior Minister Laurent Nunez later announced 422 arrests across the country. The ministry's update indicated attempts by 'radical elements' to enter city centers to cause damage and loot, with ongoing clashes reported.
The protests marked the third day of social mobilization in three weeks, deemed 'high risk' by authorities ahead of Halloween on Oct. 31. Security arrangements remained adaptive, with police instructed to show 'the greatest firmness' towards violence or damage. Curfews were imposed in parts of Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, and several northern towns, while an administrative court in Tours overturned a planned curfew but maintained a demonstration ban.