France unions stage nationwide demonstrations over living costs
On October 24, student and labor unions staged demonstrations across France to protest high living costs and inadequate public sector funding, resulting in sporadic clashes with police in Paris, yonhapnewstv.co.kr reported.
Police and Union Organizers Dispute Protest Turnout Figures
The Ministry of the Interior reported that 35,000 took to the streets nationwide by 1:00 PM local time. That figure dropped sharply from the 60,000 participants recorded at the same hour during the previous mobilization on October 17.
Police in Paris stated that a total of 110,000 participants joined the afternoon march, characterizing the atmosphere as largely peaceful. In contrast, labor union organizers estimated that turnout reached 250,000 in the capital and 800,000 nationwide.
Discrepancies persisted across regional jurisdictions as well. In Marseille, police counted 17,000 demonstrators, while the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) claimed 100,000 participants. In Toulouse, where authorities estimated 26,500 marchers took part, one demonstrator was seen kicking away a tear gas canister.
Interior Ministry Seizures and Enforcement
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that police arrested 135 people during the morning hours alone. Security forces confiscated numerous prohibited items at checkpoints and transit hubs.
The seized materials included metal beads, lead pellets, firecrackers, slingshots, edged weapons, BB guns, gas masks, cutting tools, and batons. Ahead of the events, President Emmanuel Macron stated that all demonstrations outside of authorized trade union marches would be prohibited, prompting local prefectures to issue partial or complete bans in several cities.
Demonstrations Spread to Lyon, Nantes and Bordeaux
In Lyon, where demonstrations were banned outright, roughly 150 people gathered near universities and police stations to attempt road blockades. Police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Next Saturday Mobilization Plans
Protesters marched behind banners bearing slogans such as “If we burn, you burn with us” and “The earth is burning and our future is burning with it.” Representatives of the Yellow Vest movement announced plans for fresh demonstrations on Saturday, October 31.