France deploys 70,000 officers for third weekend of youth protests

French authorities deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide on Saturday to manage a third consecutive weekend of demonstrations. The government estimated that 320,000 people participated in the protests across France, a figure lower than the 410,000 recorded the previous week but still a large turnout.

The demonstrations began in late October when high school students protested poor building conditions and teacher shortages. The movement expanded to include labor unions and residents concerned about living costs. On October 17, protests involving more than 500,000 people turned into severe rioting. Last week's demonstrations drew 410,000 people and resulted in 800 arrests.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a high risk of disorder, particularly on Halloween evening. Following a last-minute court decision, police moved the main Paris march to the Boulevards des Maréchaux, a ring of avenues on the city's edge. This relocation aimed to keep crowds away from government buildings and tourist sites.

At Porte de Bagnolet, thousands of marchers followed a line of students holding hands. Security agents from the CGT union stood at the front, while police gathered on side streets. The Interior Ministry estimated that 70,000 people attended the main Paris protest. The crowd included high school students, climate activists, and residents demanding lower living costs.

Corentin Cabreux, a 21-year-old student, described his living conditions in a state-run residence. He noted damp stains on his walls, peeling sections, and infestations of cockroaches and rats. The march proceeded peacefully for hours, with techno music playing and some participants trick-or-treating.

Clashes broke out near Porte de Charenton as the march ended. Protesters threw glass bottles and fireworks at police. Officers responded with stun grenades and tear gas. Smoke filled the air as dusk fell, and many peaceful marchers left the area, some entering the Bois de Vincennes.

Similar youth-led protests occurred in Germany and Italy. In Germany, a group called Gen Z regelt rallied in more than 30 cities. Organizers said tens of thousands participated, though official figures were not immediately available. In Berlin, students gathered at Brandenburg Gate to demand investment in education and housing.

Lara Breitenbach, a high school student in Berlin, said authorities must invest in social services and climate protection. She argued that her generation would live with the consequences of current decisions the longest. In Cologne, police ended a march early after protesters used pyrotechnics and threw stones. In Hamburg, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds after protesters burned barricades.