French protests draw dozens of arrests as thousands rally nationwide

Dozens of arrests have been made in France during a day of mass protests involving students, taxi drivers, farmers, and the yellow vests movement against rising living costs. Police reported 40 arrests near Paris by 09:30, mostly for weapon possession or banned protective gear. Authorities anticipate potential riots and have deployed heavy police presence in Paris, with identity checks near Place de la Bastille and a demonstration ban around the Champs-Élysées, where shops have been boarded up. Protesters in Marseille threw stones. Officials expect 40,000 demonstrators in Paris and 150,000 across the rest of France, according to Le Monde. The protests follow weeks of student demonstrations.