France protests: 135 arrested as 70,000 police deployed

France deployed 70,000 police officers and security forces as fresh cost-of-living and school protests took place in Paris and other cities. The Interior Ministry said the operation was meant to stop a repeat of last weekend's violence, when 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted and nearly 1,000 police were injured. Curfews and protest restrictions were imposed in several cities. The Louvre and several other major Paris museums closed, shops boarded up windows, and the army was sent to protect public buildings.

Authorities had expected large crowds nationwide, with estimates varying from 300,000 to 500,000. In Paris they allowed only one union-led march and then changed its route late at night, pushing it away from the city centre. Unions said they would defy attempts to limit the demonstrations. By evening, more than 100,000 people had joined the authorised Paris rally, according to authorities. In Marseille, one authorised route was permitted, but police moved protesters out of the city centre with tear gas and sonic grenades as rocks and bottles were thrown. Clashes were also reported in Lyon and other cities. Protesters threw projectiles and fireworks, set fires and built barricades. Police used water cannon and tear gas. By the time of the latest reports, 135 people had been arrested.

The unrest began with high school and university students demanding better funding and conditions, including teacher shortages and poor buildings. It widened into complaints about the cost of living, pay and pensions, with Yellow Vest protesters and unions joining the marches. The government blamed far-left agitators for the violence and promised an agile, mobile and firm response. Critics said the heavy policing and rerouting of marches were designed to push protests out of sight.

The crisis comes about six months before a presidential election, with the far-right National Rally leading opinion polls and the far left also strong. President Macron cannot seek a third term. The government faces questions about restoring calm and addressing grievances, while public debt and the budget deficit leave little room for spending. Unions have promised a month of rolling strikes from next month.

The protest day also followed what President Macron called a racist terror attack. A 26-year-old man was killed and a 12-year-old girl was left in a critical condition in what authorities suspect was an Islamophobic attack. A football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon was moved from Sunday to Monday, and the US State Department warned Americans in Paris ahead of an NFL game still due to be played on Sunday.