French protests draw tens of thousands without major incidents

Protests across France on Saturday drew tens of thousands demanding higher purchasing power and defending public services, with no major incidents reported under heavy security. The Paris march followed a court-approved route from Porte d'Italie to Vincennes. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported 135 arrests by early afternoon, mostly from flow checks, and around 35,000 protesters nationwide, down from 60,000 on October 17. Minor tensions occurred in Lyon, where unauthorized gatherings were dispersed with tear gas. Authorities deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes, including elite units and armored vehicles, after last weekend's violence saw 3,000 shops vandalized. Some cities like Nancy and Metz still ban protests, drawing criticism from Amnesty International and the Human Rights League.