France protests: Latest developments

Hundreds of protests were held in France Saturday as nationwide anger grows over the cost of living, with security forces massing to prevent a repeat of violence that marred demonstrations last week. Here are the latest developments: – ‘Calm’ in Paris – French police had arrested 135 people nationwide and seized a variety of weapons, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said, adding that, so far, “there has been no major incident”.

Weapons confiscated included metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana and airsoft weapons, he said. Paris police described the situation as “calm” at midday. – ‘Scandalous’ – Hundreds of demonstrators could be seen gathering at Porte d’Italie in Paris, where authorities have said they must begin the only authorised march.

Union representative Murielle Guilbert told reporters it was “scandalous” that President Emmanuel Macron had forbidden protesters from demonstrating “where we wish to demonstrate”. “We are here today, quite obviously, because there is immense social anger in this country, and because wages have still not been increased to the level they should be,” she added.

Paris police at the last minute ordered the union-organised march be moved from Bastille, in the centre, to the more remote Porte d’Italie on the southeastern rim. Unions said they reluctantly agreed. But the Yellow Vests — a loosely organised group that staged disruptive street protests against Macron eight years ago — indicated they would not comply. – Halloween protests called – One group organising Saturday’s demonstrations — the Yellow Vests — said they would hold another round of protests on October 31.

Organisers called for rallies and a sit-in outside parliament and city halls nationwide, condemning the “authoritarian drift” of President Emmanuel Macron’s government and urging citizens to stand up for “public freedoms”. – Tear gas in Lyon – Police fired teargas to disperse some 150 people protesting in the southeastern city of Lyon, in an area banned to all demonstrations, an AFP journalist saw.

Police fired several teargas grenades to clear the group near a university faculty and the city’s police station as part of nationwide rallies against the cost of living. Police moved in as demonstrators tried to block a road. – ‘Macron resign’ – Thousands of people yelling anti-fascist slogans marched in the city of Orleans against a congress by far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party there, AFP journalists saw.

The protest criticised both leading presidential candidate Le Pen and centrist Macron. “Macron resign. Le Pen in prison,” the crowd yelled. – Louvre, Orsay closed – The Louvre, d’Orsay, and Picasso museums, as well as the Grand Palais in Paris, were closed Saturday. The culture ministry had called on institutions to take every measure to ensure the safety of visitors and staff, and the protection of artworks.