70,000 Officers: France's Massive Police Deployment for Saturday's Protests

The newest development in this week's unrest is the confirmation that up to 70,000 police officers will be active across France on Saturday. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced this massive deployment to handle the expected large crowds. The force will include support from helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. In the center of Paris, a smaller number of gendarmes are already positioned near the Arc de Triomphe and on adjacent streets to maintain order.

This heavy security presence comes one week after previous demonstrations resulted in looted shops and burned vehicles. The current movement began last month due to staff shortages at a high school southeast of Paris. It has since expanded into a broader coalition of students and workers. The group is marching to demand increased funding for schools and relief for the rising cost of living. Paris officials have been preparing for another significant turnout similar to last week's event, which drew more than half a million participants.

Security teams adjusted the planned route for the Paris march on Friday. The demonstration is now limited to the southeastern edge of the city. The path runs between Porte d'Italie and Porte de Vincennes. This is different from the originally planned route that would have gone from Bastille to Nation. The change appears designed to manage the flow of the large crowd and protect specific areas of the capital.

Student organizations have released a joint plan containing ten key demands. The list asks for the creation of 250,000 additional spots in higher education. It also calls for ending the current selection process used by the Parcoursup admissions system. Financial aid is another major focus, with a request for an extra 200 euros per month in grants. The group also wants a freeze on rents for public student housing. Unions are joining the movement to push for higher wages and better pensions to help families manage their daily expenses.

The protests are causing disruptions in cultural and commercial sectors. Several major Parisian venues are closed for the day. These include the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Picasso Museum, and the Grand Palais. The Grand Palais is currently hosting a significant Cézanne exhibition. Art Basel opened to the public for one day on Friday but canceled its weekend events due to the risk of unrest. Around 3,000 shops across the country were damaged or looted during the previous weekend's actions.

Local business owners are taking defensive measures. Many are barricading their storefronts to protect their inventory. Akram Ahmed, a 34-year-old contractor, was seen boarding up an optician's shop near Saint-Lazare station. He noted that the owner called him the night before to secure the building. The owner told him the action was necessary to save the business and the staff. This proactive approach reflects the anxiety among shopkeepers following the recent damage.

Protests are not happening in every city. While marches are scheduled in Paris and Marseille, local authorities have banned demonstrations in other locations. Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier are among the cities where officials have restricted the rallies. French media reported that police used tear gas in Lyon on Saturday morning. Trade unions have criticized these bans, arguing they violate the constitutional right to freedom of expression.

Outside of Paris, the unrest has caused serious damage to public infrastructure. Two suspects in the fire that nearly destroyed the 19th-century city hall in Limoges are under formal investigation. They are being held pending trial, and the probe includes a charge of attempted murder of a public official. In Orléans, thousands of people gathered for an anti-far-right protest. This event took place alongside a congress for Marine Le Pen's party, which is preparing for the presidential election next spring. President Emmanuel Macron, whose popularity is at a low point, has stated that these security measures are essential to protect city centers and public buildings.

Victoria Ambrosini, an art critic and teacher at Saint-Denis University, commented on the economic situation driving the protests. She noted that money is now concentrated in the hands of very few people. She described the current state of affairs as no longer possible for the average citizen. This sentiment underscores the frustration that is fueling the ongoing demonstrations across the country.