France again braces with tens of thousands of police on the streets: "Very high risk of public order disturbances"
France deploys 70,000 police officers across the country ahead of expected stormy protests on Halloween. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a "very high risk" of public order disturbances. A 15-year-old student plans to protest for the third consecutive week. Damage to businesses is estimated at one billion euros.
France is deploying 70,000 police officers nationwide ahead of expected stormy protests today (Saturday), on Halloween. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez promised a firm response and said there is a "very high risk" of public order disturbances. The protests, led in part by elements of the radical left and with significant participation from immigrant communities, erupted against the backdrop of the high cost of living and poor conditions in educational institutions. Aaron Bertier de Grandry, a 15-year-old high school student from a Paris suburb, plans to participate in his third consecutive weekend of protests and said: "If we, as the future of France, lack the necessary resources, it means that France will eventually collapse." Damage to businesses is estimated at one billion euros, and the government is advancing a law requiring rioters to pay compensation of up to 10,000 euros.