France braces for another day of mass protests as security on high alert
Several planned marches in major cities in France have been banned by authorities, provoking an uproar by rights groups.
Paris, France – More than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes are set to be deployed across France as the country braces for a new round of protests against deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living.
French authorities have made clear they are determined to prevent Saturday’s demonstrations from descending into the violence that erupted last weekend.
On October 17, protests that had been largely peaceful were marred by widespread looting, vandalism and clashes, with thousands of businesses damaged or ransacked. More than 2,000 people were taken into police custody, according to official figures.
In central Paris, businesses were shuttered and shop windows covered with protective panels, while some retailers hired private security. At least 24 metro stations were closed at the request of the police prefecture. Major cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay, also closed for the day, while Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend programme.