France to deploy 70,000 police ahead of Halloween protests
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez says October 31 carries a "very high risk of public disorder" as yellow vest and student groups call nationwide demonstrations.
At a glance
- France will mobilise 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide on Saturday, October 31, ahead of planned Halloween protests.
- Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said October 31 poses a "very high risk of public disorder" and pledged an "extremely firm" response.
- The yellow vest movement and student unions called for demonstrations; last Saturday's protests drew about 410,000 people, the ministry said.
France will mobilise 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country on Saturday, October 31, after the interior minister warned of a "very high risk of public disorder" as yellow vest and student groups called nationwide protests that coincide with Halloween.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced the deployment at a news conference on Thursday. He said security measures introduced last week, including armoured vehicles and water cannon, would be strengthened, and described the mobilisation as an "exceptional measure". The number of officers matches last week's deployment, he said.
Protests over the cost of living
Nationwide demonstrations over the rising cost of living have rocked France in recent weeks, with some degenerating into large-scale looting and riots.
Last Saturday's protests drew about 410,000 people nationwide, according to the interior ministry, though unions put the figure at roughly double that. The ministry said more than 2,700 people were arrested a week earlier.
The "yellow vest" movement and student unions have called for a fresh day of demonstrations on Saturday. The yellow vest movement has already announced a "third act" and called for protests outside the National Assembly and at town halls across the country.
Demonstrations allowed, but not in city centres
Nunez said demonstrations would be permitted, but "not in city centres, where there is a risk of public disorder". He warned demonstrators against using Halloween as "a legitimate reason to hide one's face" to cause disturbances in public areas.
He also accused the "ultra-left" movement and some yellow vest activists of circulating messages on social media promoting Halloween evening demonstrations that called for a "revolution". "These gatherings will be banned," he said.
The interior minister issued a warning to far-right groups that clashed with left-wing protesters at rallies in about 15 French cities. "We will tolerate no excesses," he said, pledging an "extremely firm" response.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Why is France deploying 70,000 police on Halloween?
- Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said October 31 presents a "very high risk of public disorder" as yellow vest and student groups plan nationwide protests. He said the number matches last week's deployment.
- Where will protests be allowed in France?
- Nunez said demonstrations would be permitted, but not in city centres, where there is a risk of public disorder. He said gatherings promoted by the "ultra-left" and some yellow vest activists on Halloween evening would be banned.
- How many people joined France's recent protests?
- The interior ministry said last Saturday's demonstrations drew about 410,000 protesters nationwide, while unions put the figure at roughly double. The ministry said more than 2,700 people were arrested a week earlier.
