French Protests Draw 146,000 as Turnout Drops Sharply

French authorities reported 146,000 protesters nationwide, while organizers claimed 250,000 participants. The numbers mark a significant decline from last Saturday's turnout of 320,000 to 500,000. The Interior Ministry noted demonstrations were less accompanied by unions and many were unauthorized, with 360 arrests and nearly 40,000 preventive checks by 7 p.m. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deployed 70,000 security forces, armored vehicles, and water cannons to counter rioters and looters. In Paris, about 200 violent individuals attacked security forces after a man was arrested for setting a trash container on fire, leading to 15 arrests. A police officer's house in Auch was destroyed by arson, and two Yellow Vest coordinators were detained in Paris. Further protests are planned Tuesday over education funding and living costs.