Paris, Nov 01 (V7N)- More than 320,000 people took to the streets across France, including around 70,000 in Paris, to protest rising living costs and dissatisfaction with public services, with clashes between demonstrators and police leading to at least 290 arrests.
According to figures released by the French Interior Ministry on Saturday, October 31, protests took place in several cities nationwide. Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators during clashes in the capital, the BBC reported.
The demonstrations marked the third consecutive weekend of protests across France. Organisers and participants have continued mobilising ahead of a planned general strike in the coming days, expressing frustration over the rising cost of living and the quality of public services.
Security Measures Fail to Prevent Clashes
French authorities had stepped up security measures to prevent a repeat of the violence, vandalism and looting reported in parts of the country during protests two weeks earlier.
Despite the preparations, clashes broke out between police and protesters in Paris. Officers deployed tear gas to control the situation, while at least 290 people were arrested across the country.
Protests Spread Across Europe
The wave of demonstrations has also extended beyond France, with protests reported in Albania, Germany and Italy.
According to the BBC, young people taking to the streets to express dissatisfaction with economic conditions and public services has become an increasingly visible trend in several European countries.
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