Projectiles Fly After France Protests Draw 320,000

Glass bottles and fireworks flew at police near the end of a Paris march, after a day that had been mostly peaceful. Officers answered with stun grenades, and separate clashes were also reported in other French cities. France’s interior ministry put Saturday’s nationwide turnout at 320,000, including 70,000 in Paris, below the previous two weekends. ^1,6

Those projectiles came after students, union members and Yellow Vest protesters marched over living costs, fuel prices, inflation and strained public services. Students began organizing in September over education; their campaign has since drawn in other groups. Authorities deployed about 70,000 police and gendarmes. The Paris march followed a route along the capital’s eastern edge, after France’s highest administrative court upheld a ban on the planned Nation-to-Bastille route. ^3,6

The 320,000 marchers were fewer than the 410,000 counted the previous Saturday and the 550,000 recorded on October 17, when riots and looting damaged shops, businesses and public buildings. Officials said troublemakers tried to break away from marches in several cities. Police reported about 300 arrests nationwide so far, down from 800 at the same point a week earlier. The tension reflects a movement that joins immediate complaints about household costs with frustration over schools and public services. ^1,6

That mix of demands will face another test next week. Sabrine Kharbach, spokeswoman for the Union etudiante student union, said students planned to block high schools and universities starting Tuesday. They planned to block them again Thursday before joining a worker and union demonstration called for November 5. The protests have also inspired youth-led demonstrations in Germany and Italy. ^3,15