70,000 police officers in the streets - and the Louvre Museum closed to visitors: France on the brink of riots again
France is preparing for another wave of nationwide protests, a week after demonstrations escalated into riots and looting. More than 70,000 police officers have been deployed, major museums have been closed, and a football match has been postponed. The protest, which began among high school students, has expanded to address the cost of living and comes six months before the presidential elections.
France is bracing today (Saturday) for another wave of nationwide protests, a week after demonstrations across the country escalated into some of the worst riots, looting, and arson seen in years. More than 70,000 police and security personnel have been deployed across the country, fearing a repeat of last weekend's events. Hundreds of protest sites are planned in Paris and other cities, involving students, labor unions, and organizations opposed to the government. Authorities have imposed a series of restrictions: protests have been banned in the cities of Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier, and movement has been restricted in central areas of the capital. Major museums, including the Louvre, Orsay, and Picasso, will not be open to visitors, Paris Saint-Germain's home match has been postponed, and business owners have boarded up shop windows for fear of looting. The wave of protests began last month among high school students protesting a shortage of staff and poor study conditions, and later expanded into a broader protest over the cost of living and the economic situation. Last Saturday, more than half a million people took to the streets, but in some cities the protests deteriorated into severe clashes, arson, and looting. About 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted, and thousands were arrested. The protests come at a particularly sensitive political time, six months before the presidential elections. Concurrently with the protests, a convention of the National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen is expected, while Jean-Luc Mélenchon has called on his supporters to join the demonstrations. The Yellow Vests movement has also returned to the scene.