France deploys 70,000 police for Saturday protests amid cost-of-living unrest

France is deploying approximately 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide on Saturday, October 24, to prevent a repeat of the widespread looting and clashes that marred protests the previous week. The government aims to enforce stricter policing and faster arrests. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the security plan, which includes 20 armored vehicles, 15 water cannons, and elite units like RAID, GIGN, and BRI. He attributed calls for violence on social media to far-left circles and vowed no leniency for those attacking shops or public buildings. The protests stem from grievances over the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services, with last week's demonstrations drawing up to 800,000 participants. Authorities have imposed protest bans in several cities, including Lyon and Nice, while civil liberties groups warn these restrictions disproportionately limit the right to public assembly.