Following the violent demonstrations on October 17, the Yellow Vests have returned to the streets in France, under the shadow of increased security measures and partial curfews implemented in some cities. The protests, which were also supported by unions and students, were held in many cities, primarily in Paris.
The French Ministry of the Interior announced that 410,000 people participated in the demonstrations across the country. The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), however, claimed that the turnout was approximately 800,000, with 250,000 in Paris alone.
In the capital, Paris, the police's decision to set a walking route further away from the city center instead of the route determined by the unions drew backlash. Demonstrators, who gathered at the Porte d'Italie at 14:00 local time, began marching toward the Porte de Vincennes.
While it was reported that over 100,000 people participated in the protests in Paris, police intervened against demonstrators in some locations with water cannons and tear gas. Footage reflected in the press also included moments where police used batons and dragged some protesters on the ground.
The Paris Police Prefecture announced that more than 3,000 checks were carried out during the protests and 65 people were detained. Minister of the Interior Laurent Nunez announced that as of 13:00 local time, the number of protesters detained across the country was 135.
INTERVENTION AND INJURIES IN CITIES
In Lyon, a group of young people gathered near the Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University, where the prefecture had decided to ban protests. Police intervened against the group of approximately 200 people with tear gas.
In Grenoble, some demonstrators attempted to block the A480 motorway. The Isere Prefecture reported that the attempt to block the motorway led to a traffic accident and that 2 people were slightly injured in the incident.
In Nantes, where thousands participated in the protest, clashes occurred from time to time between police and demonstrators; 2 people were injured in the city. It was also stated that one person was seriously injured in the hand in Toulouse.
On the other hand, it was announced that the partial curfew applied to those under 18 in Lille, Denain, Douai, and Wattignies has been extended until October 26. The curfew, which is mostly applied between 22:00 and 05:00, has been expanded to include Marly and Valenciennes.
The Yellow Vests movement has called for new demonstrations to be held across the country on October 31. In the statement, French citizens were called upon to defend their freedoms "against authoritarian practices," and it was stated that sit-in protests were planned in front of the National Assembly and municipalities.
Following the Yellow Vest protests in France on October 17, where violent incidents occurred, partial night-time curfews had begun to be implemented in many cities, primarily Paris, Lyon, Nice, Marseille, and Lille. President Emmanuel Macron had also announced that non-union protests were banned and that union demonstrations would be held on routes deemed appropriate by prefectures or police departments.
News Source: 12punto
