Fourth Weekend of Protests in France as 70,000 Police Deployed

Protesters from trade unions, youth organisations and the "Yellow Vests" movement took part in demonstrations across France on Saturday, 7 November, marking the fourth consecutive weekend of protests in the country. Sources in the French Interior Ministry said the number of demonstrators had fallen considerably compared with earlier weekends.

The situation in Paris

About 7,000 people had gathered in Paris at 2 p.m., before the main marches began. Police detained 18 people and carried out more than 15,600 preventive checks. The situation nationwide was described as generally calm and under control.

At Place de la République in central Paris, where the authorised march set off in the early afternoon, scenes shown on French television channels featured people playing music, singing and dancing.

Young people's demands

Manon Moret, general secretary of the UNEF student union, said on the spot that young people remained determined and angry. She added that the government had not responded to their demands.

Security measures

As on previous weekends, around 70,000 police officers were deployed, along with armoured vehicles and water cannon.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said calls for violence against police officers, public buildings and shops had again appeared on social media. He said strong measures would be taken against hooligans and looters.