France Mobilises 70,000 Officers as Police Use Tear Gas Against Fresh Cost-of-Living Protests

French police fired tear gas at demonstrators in Lyon on Saturday as the government mobilised up to 70,000 officers across the country to prevent a fresh wave of violence during protests over rising living costs and school conditions.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), police used tear gas to disperse around 150 protesters near Lyon’s city centre after some demonstrators briefly attempted to block a road. The protest had been banned by local authorities amid concerns about possible unrest.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the nationwide security deployment, which included helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons. The Associated Press reported that Nuñez had also warned of social media calls encouraging violence and looting, raising concerns about a repeat of the disturbances witnessed the previous weekend.

Businesses Take Precautions Ahead of Demonstrations

Authorities and business owners across France took precautionary measures as fresh demonstrations were planned in several locations. In Paris, shopkeepers boarded up storefronts and removed merchandise from display areas in anticipation of potential clashes.

Near the capital’s Bastille neighbourhood, a clothing store cleared its shelves, while a nearby restaurant covered its windows with wooden boards but displayed signs assuring customers that it remained open. Several other retailers in Paris adopted similar measures to protect their premises.

The heightened security followed concerns over last weekend’s looting and street violence. With protests focusing on the cost of living and conditions in schools, authorities sought to maintain public order while preparing for demonstrations across the country.