France Mobilizes 70,000 Police Amid Renewed Protests

France has deployed about 70,000 police officers nationwide as protests resume amid concerns over rising living costs, declining social services, and inequality. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are expected to participate, following previous protests that experienced violence.

The heightened security measures come after a deadly shooting near Paris, which resulted in one death and five injuries, with President Emmanuel Macron labeling it a "racist terrorist attack." Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported that police had arrested 135 individuals and confiscated various weapons in preparation for the demonstrations scheduled for Saturday. Nunez emphasized that officers were instructed to prevent any recurrence of street violence, noting that seized items included metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, improvised weapons, a katana, and airsoft weapons.

At the time of his statement, Nunez indicated that there had been no major incidents. He also visited the Paris intervention unit, which is part of the security operation in the capital.