Agadir – France arrested 1,314 people during nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, while 53 members of the security forces sustained injuries, according to the French Interior Ministry.
In a statement published today, the ministry reported 289 public demonstrations involving an estimated 410,000 people nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris. The figures mark a decline from the previous Saturday, when authorities recorded 441 demonstrations involving 550,000 people.
The ministry said most marches followed their planned routes under police supervision, although groups of protesters attempted to attack security forces and damage property in several cities. Authorities intervened to prevent most of these actions, it added.
Arrests and injuries decline from previous week
The latest figures show a sharp drop in arrests and injuries compared with October 17. Authorities arrested 2,628 people during the previous weekend’s demonstrations, while 1,144 members of the security forces sustained injuries, the ministry said.
Saturday’s demonstrations also prompted 75 fire-related interventions, down from 2,025 the previous week. Authorities reported that 24 businesses were looted, compared with 1,522 businesses affected during the October 17 protests.
The ministry described the night following Saturday’s demonstrations as calm and said the figures remained provisional as authorities continued to consolidate their reports. Several investigations have also been opened.
Authorities credit security preparations
The Interior Ministry credited planning, the positioning of security personnel, and coordination with local authorities for helping prevent attacks against people and property.
According to the statement, police and gendarmerie worked with local officials to establish secure routes for the demonstrations before deploying personnel to manage the marches.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed support for the injured police officers and gendarmes and thanked security personnel and emergency services for their work.
The ministry also said groups it described as radical left-wing activists gathered at the front, within, or around demonstrations in major and medium-sized cities, attempting to target security forces, individuals, and property.
Despite these incidents, authorities said they generally managed to prevent the attempted actions.
