France’s Interior Ministry reported 291 demonstrations nationwide over the weekend, with about 320,000 people attending, including 70,000 in Paris. (Foto: Instagram)
France’s Interior Ministry reported 291 public demonstrations over the weekend, drawing 320,000 people nationwide, including 70,000 in Paris. Authorities arrested 779 people during protests and Halloween-related events, according to the ministry’s figures released Sunday. The ministry said no serious incidents were recorded.
The number of demonstrations was close to the previous week’s 289, but attendance fell from an estimated 410,000. Compared with the tally from Oct. 17, when 441 public gatherings drew 550,000 people, the latest turnout was down 42%.
The ministry’s statement also said clashes between groups of protesters and security forces left 159 officers injured. The reported damage included 515 fires, 36 businesses damaged and three looted. In the previous week’s accounting, 69 businesses were reported damaged and 24 looted.
The ministry said security measures allowed declared demonstrations to take place while protecting freedom of expression. It added that the measures prevented attempts to incite violence against peaceful demonstrations and efforts to create disorder in urban centers that night. The protests have brought together students, unions and activists calling for action on the rising cost of living, social inequality and worsening education conditions.
