StoryNationwide protests expected in France

Government · Paris

France's third day of protests draws 15,000 at 14:00 under 70,000 police deployment

The interior ministry recorded 27 arrests by 14:00 on Saturday 31 October, against 217 on 24 October. Authorities allowed demonstrations only away from city centres, and the Paris march was confined to the east of the capital.

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In brief

Paris · France

Turnout and policing

At 14:00 on Saturday 31 October, the interior ministry counted 15,000 people taking part in the third nationwide day of protests, called 'acte III', across 65 actions in France. The ministry said the day was passing without notable incident and recorded 27 arrests at that hour, against 217 on Saturday 24 October. Authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, fearing urban violence comparable to that of 17 October, according to the entourage of the interior minister. Demonstrations were authorised only away from city centres.

Participants counted per national protest daypeople

Data from the article text

The ministry gave earlier totals of 67,000 people at 198 actions on Saturday 17 October and 37,000 people at 108 actions on Saturday 24 October. Those figures frame the 14:00 count on 31 October, which covers only the first part of the day.

Actions counted per national protest dayactions

Data from the article text

Paris march and transport

In Paris, the Conseil d'Etat confirmed the ban on the historic Bastille-Nation route proposed by the organisers, so the march set off from Porte de Bagnolet in the east of the capital. The CGT urged demonstrators to join the only procession authorised for Saturday. More than 40 metro stations in Paris were closed. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the Insoumis and a presidential candidate, marched in the Paris procession alongside a delegation that included Rima Hassan. The Fage federation of student associations denounced what it called a new obstacle to the right to demonstrate.

Grievances and slogans

Adèle Tellez of CGT Paris summarised the protesters' grievance as the Paris march got under way.

“Macron has put social demands at the periphery of his mandate.”

Adèle Tellez, representative of CGT Paris

The gilets jaunes coordination, which the articles describe as behind these days of action, issued its own statement calling the anger across the country unheard.

“There is anger in this country. It is rising in high schools, universities, on roundabouts, in neighbourhoods, in fields and at workplaces.”

Gilets jaunes coordination

Placards seen in the Paris procession referred to the cost of living and to police tear gas and riot officers.

Expected scale and next dates

A police source said 350 actions had been recorded across France, which could bring together 350,000 to 450,000 people. A source described as close to the matter said between 400 and 800 ultra-left militants were expected in Paris. Lycée and student unions called for blockades of high schools and universities on Tuesday 3 November and Thursday 5 November. An intersyndical day of strike and national demonstrations is also set for Thursday 5 November. The gilets jaunes coordination called for the movement to continue on 6 and 7 November, the day after that union action.

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