Clashes with police erupt at protests in several French cities
During Saturday's demonstrations in France, which drew 320,000 people nationwide, clashes broke out between some protesters and police in several cities. Turnout is lower than on previous weekends.
Large protests took place across France on Saturday, and in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes and Toulouse some participants clashed with police. According to France's Interior Ministry, 320,000 people took part nationwide, including 70,000 in the capital, Paris. The demonstrations were called by trade unions, school and student organisations, and the "Yellow Vests" movement.
Clashes in the cities
The demonstrations were mostly peaceful, but after attacks on officers, police used tear gas in Paris and Lyon. In Paris, protesters pelted police with cobblestones that had been broken out of the road surface using hammers, and also threw petrol bombs. Cars were again set on fire in the capital.
In Marseille, rubbish bins burned in the streets and protesters put up barricades. Clashes with police also occurred in Rennes and Toulouse.
Security measures
On Saturday morning, Paris police carried out more than 1,200 checks at railway stations and in their surroundings, trying to identify people who could pose a security threat, the city police prefecture said. Fearing attacks on public buildings and looting of shops, the authorities ordered protest routes in Paris and other cities to be moved farther from the centres.
Turnout is falling
The Interior Ministry noted that fewer people took part than on previous weekends. A week earlier, 410,000 people protested nationwide, while on 17 October, when the protests turned into riots and looting, the figure was 550,000.
