Fear of new riots – France is mobilizing 70,000 police officers for the protest weekend

In France, nationwide demonstrations have been announced again for this Saturday, with the authorities fearing riots like last weekend.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that a massive police presence should prevent violence and looting. There are 70,000 officers on duty across the country. There are numerous calls for acts of violence and looting, which are obviously messages from the rioters.

The Interior Minister said a number of demonstrations have already been banned. Rallies that would be accompanied by the organizers with a security service would be permitted, “and provided that they obviously do not take place in places where looting, disruption of public order and the like could occur.” In Paris, a demonstration registered by the unions was allowed, but the route was adjusted.

Regardless of the restrictions on demonstrations on Saturday, exit restrictions remained in force in sensitive areas of the cities, Interior Minister Nuñez said. The young people who have been demonstrating for weeks for better equipment in schools were joined by other groups at rallies in numerous cities over the weekend. There were violent riots on the sidelines of the protests.

Rioters set fire to the town hall in Limoges, among other places. The historic part of the building from the 19th century burned down and the bell tower collapsed on fire. The burning town hall became a symbol of violence across the country and internationally.