Protests in France Continue for Fourth Straight Weekend, With Fewer Participants
France saw demonstrations for a fourth consecutive weekend, though Interior Ministry sources said turnout was markedly lower. The situation nationwide was described as largely calm and under control.
Protests took place across France on Saturday for the fourth weekend in a row. Trade unions, youth organisations and supporters of the "Yellow Vests" movement took part in demonstrations around the country. Sources in the French Interior Ministry said the number of demonstrators had fallen considerably compared with previous weekends.
The situation in Paris
At 2 p.m., before the main marches began, about 7,000 people had gathered in Paris. Police detained 18 people and carried out more than 15,600 preventive checks. The situation nationwide was described as "generally calm and under control".
At the Place de la République in central Paris, from where an authorised march set off in the early afternoon, French television footage showed people playing music, singing and dancing.
Youth demands and the official response
Manon Moret, general secretary of the UNEF student union, said on the spot that young people remain "determined and angry". She added that the government had not responded to their demands.
As on previous weekends, around 70,000 police officers were deployed, along with armoured vehicles and water cannon.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said calls for violence against police officers, public buildings and shops had again appeared on social media. He said strict measures would be taken against hooligans and looters.
