France sees large protests with nearly 1,000 arrests, calmer than last week

France saw large protests Saturday with nearly 1,000 arrests and two serious injuries, though authorities reported calmer marches than last week's violent clashes. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police were deployed, a 20% increase from the prior week. The CGT union counted 800,000 protesters nationwide, matching last week's figure, while the government estimated 410,000, down from 550,000. Most authorized marches were peaceful, though over 500 "casseurs" attacked police in Paris, prompting water cannons and tear gas. Sporadic incidents occurred in Lyon and Nantes, with some shops looted in Marseille. Protests unite students, unions, and "gilets jaunes" ahead of the presidential election in six months. Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon warned President Macron to concede or face weekly demonstrations and a general strike. The government has imposed bans and curfews, drawing accusations of authoritarianism, amid heightened tension after a fatal terror attack in Trappes.