Thousands protest in Nancy and Metz despite bans on cost-of-living rallies

Thousands of people protested in Nancy and Metz on Saturday, October 24, despite official bans on demonstrations against the high cost of living, with police reporting over 3,700 protesters in Nancy alone. The second day of mobilization, supporting student movements, saw crowds exceed expectations in both cities. In Nancy, protesters entered a prohibited zone on Rue Saint-Jean, facing a water cannon, while Metz saw over 1,000 people march toward the Muse shopping center. Authorities had banned rallies in city centers, with the Nancy administrative court rejecting appeals, and deployed 220 officers plus water cannons. Transport networks halted operations, and some shops closed preemptively. The protests, backed by student unions and former yellow vest groups, included gatherings in Épinal. A court ruling on Metz's ban remained pending, and police conducted checks at city entrances.