Halloween protests in France escalate into clashes: More than 500 detained

According to the French Interior Ministry, around 320,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country. This was fewer than the previous weekend, when approximately 410,000 people took to the streets. Around 70,000 people protested in Paris.

A total of around 150 demonstrations were held across the country. Participants protested against rising prices, deteriorating public services, and the policies of Emmanuel Macron's government. School students, trade unions, and members of the Yellow Vests movement joined the marches.

Some demonstrators wore Halloween costumes. Participants carried signs criticizing the authorities and living conditions in France.

70,000 security personnel deployed to maintain order

French authorities had prepared in advance for possible unrest. Earlier this week, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, including elite units, would be deployed to maintain order. The minister warned that Saturday could be a day of "very high risk."

However, despite extensive security measures, clashes with law enforcement broke out in several cities following largely peaceful marches.

Protesters pelt police with paving stones in Paris

The Paris demonstration began near Porte de Bagnolet, close to the ring road. The procession headed toward Porte de Charenton, bypassing the city center. A helicopter flew overhead during the march.

The demonstration was initially peaceful, but the situation escalated near the end of the route. Dozens of people wearing masks and black clothing used hammers to tear up paving stones and throw them at police officers. At least one incendiary device was also thrown at law enforcement officers.

Police responded with tear gas and batons. The Paris police prefecture said that a group of several hundred rioters had attacked officers with various objects. Law enforcement took measures to restore public order.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the level of violence by some of the rioters as "extraordinary." He said that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at a member of a specialized police unit in Paris. The minister described the incident as an attempted murder.

How many people were detained after the clashes

On the evening of October 31, the Interior Ministry reported that 565 people had been detained across the country. In Paris, four police officers and one gendarme were injured during the unrest.

Clashes also took place outside the capital. In Lyon, protesters threw various objects at police, prompting law enforcement officers to use tear gas. In Toulouse, security forces used water cannons to disperse an unauthorized rally attended by several thousand people, mostly young people.

Police also used tear gas and stun grenades in several cities. According to the publication, groups of masked individuals joined the crowds after the marches had ended, as they had during previous demonstrations.

The previous wave of nationwide protests in France took place on October 24. More than 400,000 people took to the streets in French cities at the time.

In Paris, a rally attended by around 110,000 demonstrators passed peacefully. However, clashes broke out in Lyon, Nice, Lille, Toulouse, and Nantes. Police used tear gas and water cannons.