135 arrested as new round of protests gets underway in France
Authorities are also keeping a close watch over the hard-right National Rally party's congress in Orléans this weekend, which has drawn both supporters and counterprotesters. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 135 people had been arrested across France as of 1 pm on Saturday.
French authorities have deployed 70,000 police officers across the country for a day of protests that have raised tensions. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned police forces to be "uncompromising" with potential rioters, emphasizing the need for mobility, responsiveness, and adaptability. The day of protests follows a week of looting and clashes between police and protesters, despite Macron's announcement of extra police presence, 10,000 more than last weekend.
Local curfews and bans on public demonstrations have been imposed in several cities, including Lyon, Nice, and Lille, sparking backlash from unions, left-wing parties, and human rights groups. Despite the measures, more than 10,000 people participated in an authorized anti-far-right march in Orléans, where Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a presidential candidate, supported the school protests.
A banned protest is also expected on Sunday, when far-right leader Marine Le Pen is set to formally launch her presidential bid. Macron's description of a recent terrorist act as the "first" motivated by a person's skin color or religion has drawn criticism from political figures. Cost-of-living protests have spread across Europe, with similar grievances igniting similar demonstrations in Spain, Italy, and Albania.
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