France Bolsters Security Ahead of Nationwide Protests

France is reinforcing security measures ahead of new protests scheduled for Saturday, October 24, mobilizing tens of thousands of police and restricting demonstrations in several cities. The actions come one week after widespread riots that saw looting, arson, and attacks on police stations. Around 70,000 police and gendarmerie officers will be deployed, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu citing threats from left-wing extremist groups and criminal elements. Organizers have planned over 700 actions nationwide, including about 500 demonstrations, targeting fuel depots, railways, ports, and bridges. The "yellow vests" movement, which emerged in 2018 over fuel tax hikes, has joined unions and students in this protest wave amid rising living costs and education issues. Authorities have banned protests in Lyon, Nancy, Metz, Rouen, Toulon, and Limoges, while Paris museums like the Louvre remain closed. Amnesty International criticized the measures as a "drift toward authoritarian practices."