During the latest wave of protests in France, which took place on Saturday 24 October, the police arrested 135 people and seized various types of weapons. This was reported by the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez.
Around 70,000 police officers were deployed across the country to maintain order. The authorities fear a repeat of the rioting and acts of vandalism that occurred during last Saturday’s unrest.
Participants in the ‘Yellow Vests’ movement, trade unions and students have joined the protests. The organisers plan to hold hundreds of demonstrations in various regions of the country.
In several major cities, the authorities have banned certain demonstrations and imposed a curfew. In Paris, the organisers of the march agreed to follow the route set by the prefecture.
Meanwhile, in Orléans, south of Paris, the congress of the far-right National Rally party opened on Saturday. Jordan Bardella is expected to be re-elected as its leader. On Sunday, Marine Le Pen is due to hold her first major election rally.
The protests against the decline in living standards, which took place on 17 October, were among the largest in French history. Riots and clashes with the police broke out in various cities across the country.
Almost 1,000 law enforcement officers were injured. There were also casualties amongst the protesters.
According to official estimates, at least 3,000 shops were damaged or looted.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin reported that nearly 150 people had been sent to prison, whilst more than 800 had appeared in court.