French Youth Lead Third Weekend of Protests as Police Deploy 70,000 Officers

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, primarily young people, marched across France on Saturday to mark a third consecutive weekend of protests. The rallies focused on rising living costs and education system failures. Youth-led demonstrations also occurred in Germany and Italy during the same period.

The French government estimated that 320,000 people participated in the nationwide protests on Saturday. This figure represents a decline from the 500,000 attendees on Oct. 17 and the 410,000 on Oct. 24. Organizers provided higher estimates for the turnout.

Approximately 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed across the country. Authorities reported about 300 arrests nationwide, a decrease from the 800 arrests recorded at the same point during the previous week’s demonstrations.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a very high risk of disorder, particularly after dark on Halloween. Police had arrested thousands following the riots and looting that disrupted the previous two Saturdays. In Paris, 70,000 people attended the main protest, which police rerouted to the city's edge to protect government buildings and tourist sites.

At Porte de Bagnolet on the eastern edge of Paris, thousands gathered behind a line of students marching hand in hand. Security agents from the CGT union watched the front of the gathering while police massed on side streets. The crowd moved along the Boulevards des Maréchaux, with techno music playing from speakers and some marchers celebrating the holiday.

Corentin Cabreux, a 21-year-old student, described his living conditions in a state-run residence. He noted damp stains on walls, peeling sections, and the presence of cockroaches and rats. His comments reflected the diverse grievances carried by different groups, including high school students, climate activists, and those concerned with cost of living.

Clashes broke out near Porte de Charenton, where the Paris march ended. Protesters threw glass bottles and fireworks at police. Officers responded with stun grenades and tear gas. Smoke filled the air as dusk fell, causing many peaceful marchers to cough and scatter into the nearby Bois de Vincennes.

In Germany, the youth initiative Gen Z regelt rallied in more than 30 cities. Organizers stated that tens of thousands participated, though official figures were not immediately available. In Berlin, high school student Lara Breitenbach called for more investment in social services, education, and climate protection. She argued that the younger generation would live with the consequences the longest.

Police ended a protest march early in Cologne after protesters used pyrotechnics and threw stones. In Hamburg, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds that burned barricades. In Frankfurt, protesters pummeled police with stones, injuring several officers, one of them severely.

In Lisbon, thousands of protesters, including families with small children, marched peacefully against Portugal's housing crisis. They held placards reading Houses or Fire and We are not Afraid. In The Hague, Netherlands, police established a strong presence in the downtown shopping area. Many stores were boarded up as a precaution, though no major disturbances were reported by midafternoon.