In brief
On Saturday, Oct. 31, demonstrations in France drew between 320,000 and 500,000 people, causing major transport disruptions in Paris and leading to clashes near Porte de Charenton with police using tear gas. The protests marked the third large‑scale showing since mid‑October and were met with a nationwide deployment of 70,000 police officers.
On Saturday, Oct. 31, protests that spanned France drew between 320,000 and 500,000 participants, according to Le Monde and youth unions, and disrupted Paris public transport and sparked clashes near Porte de Charenton.
Le Monde reported that the Interior Ministry recorded about 320,000 demonstrators nationwide, with 70,000 in Paris by 5 p.m. local time. Youth unions and student associations, however, claimed that nearly 500,000 people joined the marches across the country, including an estimated 200,000 in the capital.
In Paris, the public‑transport operator RATP announced that more than 40 metro stations were closed on Saturday, causing widespread delays and forcing many commuters to find alternate routes.
To keep order, around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed across France during the demonstrations, with a significant presence in major cities.
Clashes erupted in Paris near Porte de Charenton, the official endpoint of the march. Protesters threw projectiles at police, who responded with tear gas, according to Le Monde.
These marches represent the third large‑scale protest in France since Oct. 17, as civic groups continue to demand changes in national policy.
