France deploys 70,000 officers as Paris museums close for protests

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 15:33 · Archive

France is deploying 70,000 police officers to prevent violence during Saturday protests, with major Paris museums including the Louvre closing.

France will deploy 70,000 police officers, helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons across the country on Saturday as authorities prepare for renewed protests over the cost of living. The Louvre, Orsay and Picasso museums and Grand Palais in Paris are closing for the day, with the Culture Ministry calling on all institutions under its authority to adopt necessary measures to ensure visitor safety and staff protection.

Last week's demonstrations descended into violence with fires, looting, smashed shop windows and clashes with police, described as France's most violent unrest in years. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said at a news conference that there have been 'numerous calls from radical far-left groups on social media to commit acts of violence and vandalism' and 'renewed calls for looting, with those messages clearly being spread by rioters'. He warned that police would be 'absolutely uncompromising' with those involved in violence, adopting a 'very firm approach'.

Students, members of the CGT labour union and activists from the 'yellow vest' movement, whose demonstrations against social injustice shook France in 2018 and 2019, are all set to join Saturday's protests. Elite police units will help secure public buildings like city halls in a 'highly mobile' security operation.

France deploys 70,000 officers as Paris museums close for protests — Image: Perth Now

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How it is being reported

France to deploy 70,000 officers, as Louvre shuts doorsThe 70,000 police and gendarmes will be deployed along with helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons to combat violent protests across France.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 14:57
France to deploy 70,000 officers, as Louvre shuts doorsThe 70,000 police and gendarmes will be deployed along with helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons to combat violent protests across France.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 14:57

In this story: France · Paris · Louvre · Laurent Nuñez · CGT

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