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France protests: 410,000 march as arrests near 1,000
No repeat of widespread looting seen on October 17
Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated across France on October 24 in a second weekend of protests against the cost of living and cuts to public services, with nearly 1,000 arrests and at least three protesters seriously injured.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the authorities had succeeded in preventing a repeat of the widespread violence and looting seen on October 17.
Turnout falls but remains high
The interior ministry counted 410,000 demonstrators across 289 protests, including 110,000 in Paris.
This was down from 550,000 across 430 demonstrations the previous Saturday.
The influential CGT union disputed these figures, estimating turnout at 800,000 nationwide, including 250,000 in Paris. It said participation was unchanged from the previous weekend.
The union condemned restrictions imposed ahead of the marches, including bans on dozens of demonstrations and last-minute changes to approved routes.
"Despite this strategy of chaos, despite the government's multiple provocations the demonstrations were peaceful, festive and determined," it said.
In Orléans, around 13,500 people joined a separate demonstration against the Rassemblement National, which was holding its national congress in the city. The CGT put attendance at 30,000.
Nearly 1,000 arrests
Clashes between protesters and police were reported in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Rennes and several other cities.
In Paris, around 2,000 people confronted police at the end of the march, including an estimated 500 troublemakers, according to the Interior Ministry.
Mr Nuñez reported nearly 1,000 arrests nationwide on Saturday evening, more than double the 385 recorded at the same stage the previous weekend.
By Sunday morning, Paris police had confirmed 142 arrests.
At least three protesters suffered serious injuries.
In Toulouse, a 20-year-old man sustained severe injuries to his right hand, reportedly losing several fingers following an explosion. A judicial investigation has been opened.
Another person suffered a hand injury in Clermont-Ferrand, while a protester in Poitiers was reportedly struck in the left eye by a possible grenade fragment. The precise circumstances remain unclear.
In Bouches-du-Rhône, authorities reported 40 injured police officers and seven businesses looted or damaged.
Mr Nuñez defended police intervention, rejecting accusations that officers had sought to suppress the demonstrations.
Further protests planned
The CGT said the government must urgently respond to the protesters' social demands.
"No repression, no ban on demonstrations will stop the mobilisation," it said.
The union called for strikes to follow the protests, with a national day of industrial action and demonstrations planned for November 5.
Meanwhile, yellow vest organisers have announced further protests on October 31, accusing the government of an authoritarian response to the movement.
