French protests draw nearly 1,000 arrests as 410,000 march nationwide
Nearly 1,000 people were detained during largely peaceful mass protests across France on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, with over 410,000 demonstrators participating nationwide. Around 110,000 protesters gathered in Paris, matching last weekend's turnout, while some 70,000 police officers were mobilized with SWAT units and water cannons. Clashes occurred in Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux, with limited looting reported, though no targeted attacks on public buildings occurred. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon warned of a general strike on November 5 if President Emmanuel Macron fails to address demands over education funding, youth opportunities, and living costs. Similar anti-government demonstrations also took place in Italy, Albania, and Belgium.