France deploys 70,000 police ahead of Oct. 31 protest risk
What's new: Authorities flagged Halloween night as the biggest flashpoint after Oct. 17 riots and social media calls for violent gatherings.
France is deploying 70,000 police nationwide for Oct. 31 demonstrations after officials warned the Halloween weekend carries a high risk of unrest. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said authorities had tracked social media calls from radical left groups and some radicalized Yellow Vest activists urging people to gather in many cities from 8 p.m. Saturday, with some posts calling for “revolution.” The protests follow riots, looting and vandalism on Oct. 17. The Interior Ministry said 410,000 people joined marches last Saturday, when the same number of officers were mobilized. The broader protest movement, which began with students, has widened to unions and other groups angry over wages, living costs and public services.