Paris, Oct 2026 : Nearly 1,000 people were arrested in France on Saturday as more than 40,000 people took part in a fresh wave of protests across the country, according to a media report. While most demonstrations remained peaceful, clashes between protesters and police were reported in several major cities.
According to Euro News, confrontations broke out in Marseille, Rennes, Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and Toulouse, prompting security forces to use tear gas, water cannons and crowd-control measures to disperse demonstrators.
In Paris, police fired tear gas and charged crowds near Porte de Vincennes, while some protesters allegedly launched fireworks towards security personnel. Police also deployed a water cannon to disperse crowds and carried out checks on people travelling through Nation Square.
The French authorities had announced an intensified security operation ahead of Saturday’s demonstrations following disorder during protests the previous weekend. Those protests, linked to anger over rising inflation, had reportedly resulted in fires at several locations and looting at dozens of shops.
To prevent a repeat of the violence, authorities mobilised around 70,000 security personnel across France. The large-scale deployment was intended to maintain public order, protect property and ensure the safety of demonstrators and residents.
The Yellow Vests movement has also announced plans for another protest on October 31, according to the report, signalling the possibility of further demonstrations in the coming days.
French Interior Minister Condemns Violence
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez on Sunday thanked regional prefects, police officers, gendarmes and firefighters for their work in maintaining public safety during the demonstrations.
In a post on social media platform X, Nunez praised the security personnel for their commitment and professionalism, saying they had worked to protect citizens and allow demonstrations to proceed smoothly.
However, he alleged that individuals associated with the ultra-left and radical far-left had attempted to create disorder in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Grenoble, Nantes, Angers and Lille.
“These acts are unacceptable,” Nunez said, condemning the disturbances reported during the dispersal of demonstrations.
The minister also expressed support for police officers and gendarmes who were injured during the unrest, describing violence against internal security forces as “intolerable”.
He said security personnel had been deliberately targeted because of their uniforms and their role in maintaining public order and protecting the Republic.
Security Concerns Ahead of Further Demonstrations
The latest arrests and clashes have renewed concerns about public order in France as authorities prepare for additional demonstrations. The government’s response has focused on strengthening security deployments and preventing violence, looting and damage to property.
Although most of Saturday’s protests were reported to have remained peaceful, incidents in multiple cities highlighted the challenges facing authorities in managing large demonstrations.
With the Yellow Vests movement announcing another protest for October 31, French security agencies are likely to remain on alert as the country faces continued public mobilisation over economic and political grievances.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
