France deploys 70K officers for protest crackdown
France's Ministry of the Interior is deploying 70,000 law enforcement personnel to ensure security during the large-scale protest actions scheduled for Saturday, BFM-TV reported on Thursday.
Consensus
- French authorities deployed 70,000 law enforcement personnel for protests on October 31.
- Protests were linked to rising living costs and student demands.
- Demonstrations were banned in city centers, particularly in Paris.
- Police used tear gas, stun grenades, and water cannons during protests.
- The government restricted the wearing of masks that obscure faces.
- The highest administrative court in France upheld the ban on a march in central Paris.
- The U.S. embassy advised American citizens to avoid mass gatherings.
Points of divergence
- The protest on October 17 was the largest, with about 550,000 participants. — vesti
- Raiders looted boutiques during the protests. — vesti
- Special forces units GIGN and RAID were deployed for crowd control. — interfax
- Protests were scheduled for Saturday, October 31. — interfax
Coverage (2 sources)
- French authorities promised tough measures in the context of confrontation with new riots — Вести
- French Ministry of Interior deploys 70,000 police and gendarmes at October 31 protests — Интерфакс