In pictures: France protests draw 146,000 as clashes erupt for fourth straight weekend

Trade unions, youth organizations, and Yellow Vest demonstrators held nationwide marches in France on Saturday, November 7, marking a fourth consecutive weekend of mass protests against living costs and education. Initial turnout numbers, reported by French Ministry of Interior sources, dropped significantly compared to previous demonstrations, with approximately 7,000 protesters counted by 1:00 PM GMT.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged the presence of about 70,000 police officers, armored vehicles, and water cannons across the nation, leading to over 15,600 preventive checks and 18 arrests by early afternoon. Nuñez warned that fresh social media posts were urging people to target police, public buildings, and shops, vowing a strong response to any rioters or looters.

At Paris's Place de la République, where the authorized march commenced with music and dancing, UNEF student union general secretary Manon Moret emphasized the demonstrators' persistence and anger due to the government's failure to address their demands. The protests originated as student rallies advocating for improved school conditions, later expanding to encompass widespread discontent over escalating prices, inadequate wages, and limited social benefits.

Saturday's rallies followed a Thursday, November 5, nationwide strike that drew over 500,000 participants according to the Interior Ministry, while the CGT trade union confederation put the figure at nearly 1.6 million. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced plans to meet with unions and employers on Monday, November 9, to discuss wages, purchasing power, and other issues, hinting at potential increases in the minimum wage and enhancements in school staffing and funding ahead of upcoming protests scheduled for Tuesday.