France deploys 70,000 police ahead of new protests

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 15:58 · Archive

France is deploying 70,000 security forces on Saturday to prevent unrest after violent riots erupted at cost-of-living protests.

France is deploying approximately 70,000 police around the country on Saturday as the government seeks to prevent further civil unrest. This follows violence that erupted on the fringes of cost-of-living protests the previous weekend, described as some of the worst street violence in years. Largely peaceful demonstrations were hijacked by groups of rioters who engaged in widespread looting and violence across Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities. In Limoges, the town hall was set on fire and partly destroyed.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the security operation would include elite units normally used for counter-terrorism operations and hostage rescues, along with water cannon, armoured vehicles, mounted police, helicopters and drones. He stated that there had been social media calls for violence from 'ultra-left' groups. 'We are not talking about a peaceful, friendly demonstration,' Nunez told reporters after a meeting chaired by President Emmanuel Macron. 'We are ready tomorrow to be extremely firm and not tolerate anything.'

The government acknowledged it 'lost control' during the previous weekend's rioting. Demonstrations are expected in several other countries this weekend, triggered by broader discontent across the continent over declining public services, housing affordability, public sector budget cuts and the cost of living.

How it is being reported

• France to deploy 70K police on Saturday to curb unrestFrance announced it will deploy 70,000 police officers on Saturday to combat rioting after last weekend's protests turned violent.UPI · 23 Oct, 17:21
• France to deploy 70,000 police across country on Saturday to prevent unrestMove follows some of the worst street violence in years on the fringes of cost-of-living protests last weekend France will deploy about 70,000 police around the country on Saturday as the government seeks to prevent more civil unrest after some of the worst street violence in years erupted on the fringes of cost-of-living protests last weekend. The interior minister, Laurent Nunez, said on Friday the security forces would include elite units usually used for counter-terrorism operations and hostage rescues, adding that there had been social media calls for violence from “ultra-left” groups.…The Guardian · 23 Oct, 15:31
• REPLAY: French Interior Minister holds presser on security arrangements ahead of protestsFrench Interior Minister Laurent Nunez held a press conference on security arrangements ahead of upcoming protests. He announced that 70,000 security forces would be mobilised on October 24 to keep order.France 24 · 23 Oct, 12:29

In this story: France · Laurent Nunez · Emmanuel Macron · Paris · Marseille · Lyon · Limoges

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