In brief
A spillover of protests in France on Saturday saw more than 320,000 people mobilised nationwide, with youth unions citing a higher total of nearly 500,000. The demonstrations halted over 40 RATP metro stations and led to clashes near Porte de Charenton, where protesters hurled projectiles at police. It marks the third large‑scale protest wave since mid‑October.
A crowds of 320,000 people turned out across France on Saturday, according to Xinhua reporting on figures cited by French daily Le Monde. Paris, the epicentre, recorded roughly 70,000 demonstrators as of 5 p.m. local time, the Interior Ministry said. The protests were part of a series of nationwide demonstrations that have drawn attention from national and international media.
Youth unions and student associations said the total turnout may have approached 500,000, including 200,000 in Paris alone. These estimates came from groups representing high‑school and university students who organised separately from the mainstream protest bodies that counted the figure reported by the Interior Ministry. The discrepancy shows the challenge of counting crowds in large‑scale movements.
The demonstrations disrupted public transport across the country. RATP, Paris' public transport operator, closed more than 40 metro stations on Saturday, according to their website. The closures were part of broader measures aimed at keeping commuters safe and limiting gridlock during the rallies. Several other cities also reported slowed traffic and pedestrian restrictions.
Violence erupted in Paris near Porte de Charenton, the authorised endpoint of the march. Protesters hurled projectiles at police, who responded with tear gas, Le Monde reported. While the majority of protests remained peaceful, the dispersal of crowds in several cities lead to tensions and occasional clashes. Authorities noted that the situation remained under control following the police action.
The Saturday protests mark the third large‑scale wave since mid‑October, and they prompted the deployment of roughly 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide. French authorities emphasised the need to maintain order while allowing the right to protest. The protests reflect broader social and political grievances that have intensified over the past months.
