October 24 protest: turnout falls by almost half as France appears calm

Protests uniting workers, students and gilets jaunes (yellow vests) across France over the rising cost of living appeared relatively calm by early afternoon, with turnout lower than at last weekend’s demonstrations.

Following an intense weekend of clashes and demonstrations on October 17, the situation seems less charged this weekend, with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez saying around 35,000 people had gathered across the country by 13:00, compared with 60,000 at the same time on October 17.

He also reported 136 protest actions, down from 264 at the same point last Saturday, and a total of 135 arrests by 13:00.

“There have been no major incidents at the time I’m speaking to you (...) Most of these arrests are the result of the checks being carried out on the flow of people, and the seizure of equipment intended to be used as weapons.”

However, the situation remains under surveillance, with authorities deploying around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s violence.

“We will not allow any disorder,” Mr Nuñez added.

More than 1,000 checks had been conducted in the Paris region alone, he said, with officers seizing items including metal balls, lead balls, fireworks mortars and ‘airsoft’ weapons.

A katana (sword) was also among the items seized.

The operation included increased checks on public transport and measures to protect shops, including those on the outskirts of city centres.

“Everything is calm in the streets of Paris,” the Paris police prefecture said in a post on X, adding that police were deployed both on the ground and in the air to allow demonstrators to march safely from Porte d’Italie to Porte de Vincennes via the boulevards des Maréchaux.

Some disturbances reported

Although the situation appeared calmer than last weekend, incidents were reported in some locations.

In Clermont-Ferrand, a march grew to around 2,000 participants, according to authorities.

Police used tear gas after demonstrators attempted to continue beyond the authorised route and enter a restricted area of the city centre.

In Grenoble, police checks led to the seizure of items including iron bars, Molotov cocktails and fireworks mortars, according to the Isère prefecture.

In Orléans, a demonstration against the National Rally (RN) congress drew 13,000 people by 14:00, according to the prefecture, while organisers put the figure at 26,000. The march set off peacefully.

Authorities had placed the country on heightened alert following last Saturday’s unrest, which included damage to public buildings and businesses, and a fire that destroyed the historic Limoges town hall.

The government had also introduced restrictions on demonstrations in several cities.

Further protests planned

The mobilisation against the cost of living is expected to continue in the coming days.

The 17 octobre gilet jaune website has already listed 355 planned actions for Saturday, October 31.

“Our freedoms are under attack,” representatives Benjamin Ball and Azelma Sigaux said, accusing the government of trying to divide protesters and criminalise their movement, calling for people to gather again on October 31.

Separately, trade unions are preparing for a broader day of action on November 5, with calls for a general mobilisation across the public and private sectors.

The final turnout for today’s demonstrations remains to be confirmed.