The authorities of France have reported the detention of 27 people as of 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, a figure far lower than the 217 recorded the previous weekend, in the context of a new day of protests against the situation of public education, the rising cost of living, and police violence in recent weeks.
From the Ministry of the Interior it has been emphasized that the majority of the calls have taken place peacefully and they have stressed that the situation in the country "seems generally calm". However, "high vigilance" will be maintained and the security forces will remain deployed to guarantee "the safety of people and property" and the free exercise of citizens' right to protest.
According to official data, a total of about 14,000 people have participated, which reflects a lower turnout compared with previous mobilizations. Among the most numerous marches stand out those of Clermont-Ferrand, with around 2,000 attendees, and Pau, which has brought together a little more than 2,000 demonstrators, according to the count published by the newspaper "Le Figaro". Gatherings of several hundred people have also been recorded in Avignon and Guéret.
To avoid possible disturbances of public order, the local authorities have imposed nighttime restrictions in different cities, on a day of protests that coincides with the events scheduled for the Halloween holiday. In Paris, the Police Prefecture has established a curfew in the surroundings of Place de la République and Châtelet-Les Halles during the nights from Saturday to Sunday and from Sunday to Monday, between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The same rule extends to minors not accompanied by adults in cities such as Bordeaux, Marseille and Le Mans.
The French Government had reinforced this Saturday the security operation throughout the territory, with nearly 70,000 police officers and other personnel deployed to prevent unrest, looting and acts of vandalism.