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Live: France mobilises in fifth wave of student protests
France prepared for a fifth Saturday of student protests over the high cost of living, with dozens of marches planned across the country. The scale of the police deployment reflects concerns about public order, while organisers have planned the Paris route to give families a chance to leave before the march disperses.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 50 to 60 marches were expected and planned to mobilise about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, as in the previous three protest weekends since 24 October. A police source estimated 30,000 to 60,000 participants in Paris, including a possible 300 to 600 people considered high-risk. The Paris march was due to leave Place de la République at 1 pm for Place de la Nation via Bastille; the Yellow Vests coordination group had listed 338 demonstrations nationwide.
In short
- France planned 50 to 60 marches over the cost of living.
- About 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were to be mobilised.
- Organisers planned a Paris route designed to let families leave early.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Students and other protesters have a strong case for taking to the streets if rising living costs are making it harder to meet basic needs. Peaceful marches can draw attention to that pressure and press leaders to respond, while planning routes that allow families to leave safely shows consideration for other participants.
The case against
Authorities also have a reasonable case for substantial policing when dozens of large marches are planned and some participants are assessed as high-risk. A visible deployment can help protect demonstrators, passers-by and property, and reduce the chance that disorder disrupts otherwise peaceful protests.
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