France Protests: 40 Arrests in Paris as Nationwide Mobilization Begins

A major day of social mobilization is underway in France on Saturday, October 17, with protests and blockades occurring nationwide. At least 40 people have been arrested in the Paris region, primarily for carrying prohibited weapons or protective gear, according to police. The protests bring together high school students, "gilets jaunes" activists, farmers, unions, and other sectors against the high cost of living. In Paris, around 100 masked individuals targeted the CNews headquarters, breaking windows and throwing projectiles, leading to 21 arrests. Authorities anticipate up to 150,000 protesters outside Paris and 40,000 in the capital, with over 500 actions planned. The government has warned that blockades of key sites will not be tolerated and has banned demonstrations near sensitive Parisian locations. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that sound grenades, suspended after a teenager was injured, could be used in cases of extreme urban violence.