France Sees 135 Arrests Amid Widespread Protests and Clashes

French authorities reported 135 arrests nationwide on Saturday as protests resumed across the country, with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stating that many of those detained were found to be carrying items that could be used as weapons, such as fireworks and ball bearings. The arrests were made after police conducted preemptive searches of protesters.

In Paris, police reported 65 arrests out of over 3,000 checks conducted as tens of thousands marched through the city. The Paris Police Department stated its objective was to prevent troublemakers from disrupting the demonstrations and to ensure the safety of participants. The capital saw significant disruption, with shopkeepers boarding up storefronts, museums closing, and over 20 metro stations suspending service. The situation in central Paris led to the city resembling a lockdown.

Elsewhere in France, police used tear gas to disperse crowds in cities including Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lille, and Nice. In Nice, a water cannon was deployed to move a group of demonstrators, while clashes between police and protesters were reported in Marseille and Lyon.

Approximately 70,000 police officers were deployed across France to manage the demonstrations and prevent a recurrence of the unrest seen in previous weekends, which included torched vehicles and the burning of the town hall in Limoges. Last weekend, more than 2,700 people were arrested during protests that escalated into riots and looting.

The recent nationwide marches were prompted by a variety of grievances, initially stemming from student frustrations over school conditions and teacher shortages. These protests broadened to include labor union participation, encompassing opposition to government austerity measures and concerns about wages, pensions, and the cost of living.