France Protests: 1,435 Arrests as Hundreds of Thousands Take to the Streets

10:25

French authorities arrested 1,435 people during nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, October 24, as thousands took to the streets to demand action on the rising cost of living and defend public services. The figures, announced by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on Monday, October 26, highlight the continuing security challenges facing the country amid renewed social tensions.

Speaking in an interview with RMC and BFMTV, Nuñez said more than 100 of those detained were suspected of possessing objects classified as weapons by their intended use. Police searches reportedly uncovered dozens of knives, metal pétanque balls, glass marbles, slingshots and other potentially dangerous items, alongside fireworks mortars.

Police Report Injuries as Demonstrations Turn Violent

Although the authorities described the overall operation as controlled, the demonstrations were marked by serious confrontations between protesters and security personnel in several locations.

Nuñez reported that 267 police officers and gendarmes had been injured, describing the level of violence directed at law enforcement as comparable to that recorded during the previous weekend's protests on October 17.

The minister also estimated that approximately 150 demonstrators had sustained injuries, including three people whose conditions were considered serious. The reported cases involved incidents in Toulouse, Reims and Clermont-Ferrand.

Investigations by the French National Police Inspectorate, known as the IGPN, have been initiated into police interventions, according to the minister. These inquiries are intended to examine the circumstances surrounding the incidents and assess the actions taken by officers.

Public Anger Focuses on Purchasing Power and Essential Services

The demonstrations brought together between 410,000 and 800,000 participants nationwide, according to estimates cited by the authorities, with the difference reflecting the figures reported by the government and other sources.

Purchasing power and the protection of public services were central demands of the mobilization. The demonstrations come amid broader concerns over household expenses, access to essential services and the economic pressures affecting workers and families.

The latest arrests also follow a previous weekend of unrest, prompting authorities to maintain heightened security measures as they seek to prevent further clashes and damage to property.

Authorities Prepare for Another Day of Mobilization

The French government expects tensions to remain elevated in the coming days. Nuñez said local authorities would continue enforcing curfews introduced by prefects in coordination with mayors, with more than ten such measures reportedly in place across the country.

Attention is now turning to Saturday, October 31, when further demonstrations are expected. The date coincides with Halloween, a factor the interior minister cited when warning that the next major mobilization could present additional public-order challenges.

Authorities intend to deploy a substantial security presence to manage the planned gatherings and limit the risk of violence.

The coming days will test the government's ability to balance the right to demonstrate with public safety, as protesters continue to raise concerns about living costs and the future of public services.