135 Arrests: French Police Tighten Grip on Cost-of-Living Unrest

French police detained 135 people and used tear gas to disperse crowds on Saturday as authorities worked to prevent a repeat of last week's turmoil. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that a variety of items were seized during the crackdown. These included metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana, and airsoft guns. He stated that there had been no major incidents in the country up to that point, though security measures were significantly heightened.

To manage the expected turnout, officials deployed up to 70,000 officers. These forces were supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. The strict security posture followed a massive demonstration the previous week, where more than half a million people took to the streets. The goal was to maintain order while allowing citizens to voice their concerns about the high cost of living.

In Lyon, where marches were officially banned, roughly 150 protesters attempted to block a road near the center. Police quickly used tear gas to clear the area. A 21-year-old student who spoke to Agence France-Presse noted that officers were very mobile. The student observed that police units would move in to disperse marches before they could fully form.

Protests in Orleans targeted a congress hosted by Marine Le Pen's National Rally party. Le Pen is launching her bid to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in elections that are six months away. Current surveys indicate she is in a strong position to win. Marchers chanted slogans calling for Macron's resignation and Le Pen's imprisonment. Police counted 11,000 participants, while organizers claimed the number was 26,000. Approximately 50 groups, including unions and student organizations, called for the event.

In Paris, the atmosphere was described as calm at the Porte d'Italie, the only authorized location for a march. Police moved the event from the Bastille to this remote southeastern spot at the last minute. Union representative Murielle Guilbert called the change scandalous, arguing that wages had not risen to the level they should. A student named Lucas told CBS Saturday Morning that it was normal for people to be angry given the economic pressures.

The unrest has caused noticeable disruptions to daily life in the capital. Major museums have closed, and many businesses boarded up their windows. Art Basel opened for a single day on Friday before cancelling its weekend program. A soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais was moved to Monday night. An NFL game involving the New Orleans Saints is still scheduled for Sunday, though some related venues were closed on Saturday. Around 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted during the previous weekend's protests.

The movement began last month with high school students demonstrating for better conditions. It has since expanded into a broader demand for relief from rising costs. The Yellow Vests, a group that emerged eight years ago, plan further demonstrations on October 31. They intend to hold rallies and a sit-in outside parliament and city halls to condemn what they call the government's authoritarian drift.