France deploys 70,000 police and gendarmes ahead of Halloween protests

The Halloween demonstrations are the latest round of protests against the government and high living costs. Tens of thousands are expected on the streets for a third consecutive weekend, according to Il Post.

The security preparations reflect the violence surrounding earlier protests. The Hindu reported that authorities want to avoid a repeat of the October 17 unrest. Yellow vest and student movements have announced widespread demonstrations, according to Al Jazeera.

On October 29, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced an exceptional deployment of 70,000 police officers and gendarmes. He also confirmed bans on gatherings in city centres, Le Monde reported.

Nuñez warned that October 31 would be a day of very high risk, particularly in the evening because the protests coincide with Halloween, according to Franceinfo.

By October 30, the route of the Paris march had become a point of contention between unions and authorities. Franceinfo reported that 180 demonstrations were expected across the country.

On October 31, shops were boarding up their storefronts as France prepared for the third weekend of protests. Authorities were trying to prevent another outbreak of the street violence seen two weeks earlier, France24 reported.

The demonstrations remain ahead in the supplied coverage, rather than a completed event. Euronews reported on October 31 that mass protests were planned across France with a heavy security operation in place.

Most reports put the deployment at around 70,000 personnel. One account from Perfil.com instead gives a figure above 700,000, which conflicts with the number announced by Nuñez and reported by Le Monde.

The immediate tests are whether the demonstrations remain peaceful and how the evening unfolds as Halloween celebrations coincide with the protests. The Paris march route is another unresolved issue in the supplied coverage, following the dispute reported by Franceinfo.