Protest Economy: France Mobilizes 70,000 Officers for Saturday Marches

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered the deployment of up to 70,000 police officers across France for demonstrations scheduled for Saturday. This heavy mobilization includes helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons to manage a protest wave that returned after a week of unrest. The security operation aims to contain crowds that have grown to include students and workers demanding changes to school funding and living costs.

The financial stakes of the demonstrations are high. Student groups released a 10-point plan requiring the government to create 250,000 additional places in higher education. They also demand an increase of 200 euros, or approximately 313 Canadian dollars, in monthly student grants. Additionally, the plan calls for a rent freeze in public student housing to ease the burden on households.

Local authorities adjusted the logistics of the Paris march on Friday. The route was shifted from the planned path between Bastille and Nation to the city's southeastern edge, specifically between Porte d'Italie and Porte de Vincennes. This rerouting places the march on the perimeter rather than through central avenues. A few dozen gendarmes were positioned beneath the Arc de Triomphe on Friday, while the main force remains in reserve.

Businesses are preparing for the potential disruption. Approximately 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted during the previous weekend's protests. Akram Ahmed, a 34-year-old contractor, was seen boarding up an optician's shop near Saint-Lazare station. He stated that the owner told him the action was necessary to save his life. Cultural institutions have also paused operations, with the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Picasso Museum, and Grand Palais closing for the day.

The Grand Palais is currently hosting a major Cézanne exhibit, which is affected by the closure. Art Basel opened to the public for a single day on Friday but cancelled its weekend program due to the threat of unrest. Local authorities have also banned marches in several cities, including Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier, drawing criticism from trade unions who argue the bans violate constitutional rights.

The political context adds pressure to the situation. President Emmanuel Macron faces this crisis in the final stretch of his term, with popularity at its lowest since 2017. He stated that the measures are needed to protect city centers and public buildings. In Orléans, thousands gathered for an anti-far-right protest concurrent with a congress of Marine Le Pen's party ahead of the spring presidential election.

Investigations into damage from the previous week are ongoing. Two suspects in the fire that nearly destroyed the 19th-century city hall in Limoges were placed under formal investigation. The probe includes attempted murder of a public official. Paris police prefect Patrice Faure urged shopkeepers to hire security guards, while clarifying that protecting businesses remains a government responsibility.