Paris moves protest route as France deploys 70,000 officers for second weekend of unrest

French police detained 135 people and fired tear gas at demonstrators on Saturday, marking the second consecutive weekend of nationwide protests over the high cost of living. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the arrest count and announced that authorities had seized a variety of weapons, including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana, and airsoft guns. He stated that there had been no major incidents in the country so far. To manage the crowds, the government deployed up to 70,000 officers, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons.

In Lyon, where authorities had banned public demonstrations, the tension was immediate. Approximately 150 protesters near the city center attempted to block a road, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the group. A 21-year-old student, speaking to Agence France-Presse under the condition of anonymity, described the police presence as highly active. "They come and disperse marches before they even form," the student said, noting that officers were "really mobile."

In Orleans, thousands of people marched in opposition to a congress hosted by Marine Le Pen's National Rally party. Le Pen is using the event to launch her bid to succeed President Emmanuel Macron. With elections six months away, surveys indicate Le Pen is currently best positioned to win. Marchers chanted "Macron resign. Le Pen in prison," according to AFP. Police counted 11,000 participants, while organizers claimed 26,000 were present. Roughly 50 groups, including unions, left-wing parties, and student organizations, had called for the protest. French media reported the march ended peacefully early in the afternoon, and Le Pen's congress is scheduled to continue through Sunday.

In Paris, authorities described the atmosphere as calm, though the city's only authorized march was moved at the last minute. Originally planned for the Bastille, the demonstration was relocated to the Porte d'Italie in the more remote southeastern edge of the city. Union organizers accepted the change reluctantly. Murielle Guilbert, a union representative, called the decision "scandalous," arguing that President Macron had barred protesters from demonstrating in the locations they wished. She added that wages had still not risen to the level they should. A student named Lucas told CBS Saturday Morning that it was "normal for people to be angry."

The ongoing unrest has disrupted daily life and major cultural events in the capital. Major museums remain closed, and many businesses have boarded up their windows. Art Basel, which opened on Friday, limited its program to a single day and canceled its weekend schedule. The first NFL game in France, featuring the New Orleans Saints, is still scheduled for Sunday, though some related venues were closed on Saturday. A soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais, originally planned for Sunday, has been moved to Monday night. Around 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted during the previous weekend's protests.

The current wave of demonstrations began last month when high school students in the southeast of Paris protested for better conditions. The movement widened as people demanded relief from rising living costs. The Yellow Vests, a group that emerged about eight years ago to stage disruptive protests against Macron, announced they will hold further demonstrations on Oct. 31. They plan rallies and a sit-in outside parliament and city halls, condemning what they call the "authoritarian drift" of the government.

Protest activity has also spread to other parts of Europe. Italy sent additional soldiers to Milan following looting and clashes the previous week. Premier Giorgia Meloni announced tougher penalties for minors, whom police said made up much of the violent crowd. In Tirana, Albania, riot police used water cannons on student protesters who were demanding lower tuition and an end to corruption in education. In Madrid, thousands of retirees marched over pension concerns, while a housing protest was expected in Lisbon.