Clashes erupt across France as police use tear gas and water cannons; nearly 1,000 arrested

In Paris, at the end of the procession at Porte de Vincennes, clashes broke out between police and demonstrators. Trash cans were set on fire, and police responded with tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades to disperse the crowds.

The situation was also tense in several other cities, including Marseille, the country's second-largest city. Pictures showed fires in various places, and police said on Saturday evening that several stores had been looted.

In Lyon, police had banned demonstrations, but around 10,000 people gathered anyway to show their discontent.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said in the evening that the demonstrations had gone well, but that things had degenerated afterwards. He said the authorities were better prepared this time than last week.

There have been no attacks on government buildings today, unlike on October 17. And only a few acts of vandalism or looting of stores, Nuñez said.

But the evening is not over yet.

Nuñez: Almost 1,000 arrested

He said that almost 1,000 people had been arrested during the day, but that the number could rise.

More than 70,000 security forces were deployed across the country during the day, equipped with, among other things, armored vehicles and water cannons.

According to police, around 410,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country on Saturday, including 110,000 in Paris. The CGT union said 800,000 people demonstrated across the country, including 250,000 in Paris.

In Orléans, south of Paris, there was a demonstration against the far-right National Rally party, which was holding its congress in the city.

Barricaded stores

Business owners had barricaded their storefronts to avoid a repeat of last weekend, when demonstrations in various locations degenerated into vandalism and looting.

Protester Julien Hugo in Paris said it was wrong to loot and break things.

But every time we demonstrate, regardless of the reason, the police crack down on the resistance. After all, it is a right to demonstrate and we have to show that. So the destruction is in a way the price of cracking down on the demonstrations, he tells TT.