France braces for new protests with 70,000 police deployed

France is bracing for another Saturday of social unrest, with 70,000 police and gendarmes deployed for protests planned in multiple cities, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced. He stated the risk level matches previous Saturdays, citing social media calls for violence and insurrection from radical left-wing groups. The demonstrations, called by unions, are expected to bring together students and "gilets jaunes" (yellow vests) protesters. Unions are demanding a minimum wage increase, tax policy reform, more funding for schools and healthcare, and job security guarantees. The return of the yellow vests movement, prominent in protests from 2018 to 2020, adds to authorities' concerns. Separately, the AFP news agency has denounced police violence against its journalists during recent protests linked to student movements and the cost-of-living crisis. Reports include reporters struck by batons, one hit by a defensive bullet launcher projectile, and a photographer who suffered a fractured fibula during a police charge despite wearing a visible "Press" armband.