October 24 protests draw hundreds of thousands across France

Around 410,000 people demonstrated across France on October 24, according to the interior ministry, while the CGT union claimed over 800,000 participants. Most marches were calm, though clashes occurred at the end of routes in Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg. Protesters included "yellow vests," unions, high school students, and university students, rallying around purchasing power, public services, and tax fairness. In Paris, organizers accepted a police-imposed route after a court rejected their appeal, starting from Porte d'Italie at 2 p.m. In Marseille, a court partially lifted a ban on demonstrations, allowing gatherings in some towns. In Orléans, up to 26,000 people protested against a National Rally congress, with the far-right party meeting in the city that weekend.