France sees third weekend of protests as youth-led rallies sweep Europe

Tens of thousands of demonstrators, many of whom were young, participated in a third consecutive weekend of protests across France regarding education and living costs. The Times of India estimated 320,000 participants nationwide, while Euronews reported that the Interior Ministry counted 320,000 total participants, including 70,000 in Paris.

This turnout was lower than previous mobilizations on October 17 and October 24, which the Interior Ministry recorded at 550,000 and 410,000 respectively, though organizers claimed they had counted 800,000 demonstrators on each of those prior dates.

In Paris, clashes between protesters and security forces led to the use of tear gas. According to Euronews, 27 arrests had been recorded by 2 p.m., and the Interior Ministry initially reported a generally calm situation before incidents occurred. RFI English noted that some protesters were dressed as witches and clowns for Halloween. In Lyon, Euronews reported that tear gas was used as a demonstration reached Place Jean-Macé.

To manage the demonstrations, CBC News reported that 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed, with the Paris march being rerouted to the edge of the capital. France 24 noted that shops boarded up premises as authorities warned of potential clashes and that the protests have broadened to include demands for the right to protest and greater civil liberties. Similar youth-led rallies were also held in Italy and Germany, according to RFI English.

Brief written by urgent.news from RFI English, Times of India, Euronews, CBC News, France 24 — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.