Protesters plan Saturday march despite fears of police force
Several demonstrators, including a Bordeaux entrepreneur and a Nantes student, say they will join an upcoming Saturday march even though they fear police violence.
Fayrouz, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Bordeaux, recalled being hit by tear-gas at a recent protest and plans to join the upcoming Saturday march organized by the Gilets jaunes coordination. She aims to show solidarity with high-school students who first voiced their anger over the cost of living. Samir, a 39-year-old digital-marketing trainee, said he fears police retaliation more than looters, referencing a teenager who lost an eye after a grenade blast in Mulhouse.
Mathis, a 20-year-old political-science student from Nantes, equipped himself with a high-efficiency mask and eye protection and also expects to be on the streets, criticizing President Emmanuel Macron’s recent speech for lacking concrete measures. The government, represented by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, promised a “massive” police presence and discussed possible restrictions on unauthorized demonstrations.
Why it matters
The story shows growing public tension over economic hardship and police tactics ahead of a major protest.
How this story developed
- Oct 17 Flaming Limoges Town Hall tower collapses amid cheering rioters
- Oct 19 Investigations into the cause of the blaze and responsibility for the damage have been launched.
- Oct 20 French courts sentenced a 21-year-old chef and a 23-year-old security guard for violent actions during the Oct 17 Paris demonstration.
- Oct 21 First court convictions for Oct 17 protest violence were handed down.
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