Hundreds of thousands of French people have protested in various cities across the country for the third consecutive week. Most of the demonstrations were peaceful, but clashes occurred between protesters and police in some areas.
Foreign news agencies report that hundreds of thousands have gathered to protest across France for the third straight week. The government states about 320,000 participants, including 70,000 in Paris, while youth organizations claim nearly 500,000 nationwide, with over 200,000 in Paris.
The initial protests were lively and peaceful. Some demonstrators wore costumes such as Spider-Man, Frankenstein, clowns, and witches, holding signs with satirical messages like “Dressing as angry citizens on Halloween.”
Although mostly peaceful overall, in Paris some masked protesters dressed in black used hammers to pry up paving blocks to throw at police and even hurled Molotov cocktails. Police responded with tear gas and batons, similarly in Lyon and Toulouse where tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse crowds.
There were also marches in Nantes, where representatives held signs opposing the soaring cost of living, right-wing extremism, and calling for rights for students and citizens.
In Lille, the atmosphere was calm and creative, with protesters dancing to demonstrate that struggles and protests can be peaceful without violence or property damage.
The protests originated from student demonstrations against deteriorating school conditions before expanding to issues like rising living costs, inequality, opposition to police violence, defense of civil liberties, and the right to assemble.
Protesters comprise Yellow Vests, labor unions, high school and university students. Left-wing presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon joined the marches, accusing President Emmanuel Macron’s government of increasingly authoritarian rule.
The latest protests occur amid tense circumstances, with the French presidential election six months away. Right-wing leader Marine Le Pen leads in polls, while France’s economy risks recession and carries high debt, limiting government spending to appease protesters.
Student union representatives announced plans to blockade universities and high schools on Tuesday, 3 Nov, before joining a major protest with labor unions and trade unions on 5 Nov.
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Source:cna