French Police Arrest Over 1,300 as Protests Turn Violent in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon

More than 1,300 people were arrested across France on Saturday as mass protests drew over 400,000 demonstrators, with clashes between protesters and police reported in major cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. Authorities mobilized some 70,000 security personnel ahead of the demonstrations, bolstering operations after last weekend's cost-of-living protests descended into violence and looting. In Paris, riot police fired tear gas and deployed a water cannon, while some protesters launched fireworks toward officers. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez accused individuals from the "radical far-left" of seeking to sow disorder. The Yellow Vests movement has called for further demonstrations on October 31, while authorities also monitored a National Rally congress in Orléans ahead of Marine Le Pen's presidential campaign launch.