French Police Fire Tear Gas as Cost-of-Living Protests Resume

PARIS, Oct 24 (OPA) — Riot police in Lyon fired tear gas on Saturday to break up a gathering of approximately 150 demonstrators attempting to block a road near the city center. The intervention occurred in an area where local authorities had implemented strict restrictions on public assemblies. One 21-year-old student noted that police tactics have become increasingly mobile, effectively dispersing marches before they can fully organize.

Security remains high across France after last weekend’s unrest, which saw buildings set on fire, shop windows smashed, and widespread looting in multiple cities. In response, many business owners have boarded up storefronts or opted to remain closed throughout the weekend. Police reported seizing various items intended for use in violent acts across cities including Orléans, Pau, Rennes, Marseille, and Tours.

In Paris, a last-minute police mandate forced a change to a planned protest route, shifting the march from the Bastille-Nation corridor to a path between Porte d’Italie and Porte de Vincennes. Left-wing politicians and labor unions have criticized the decision, warning that the rerouting could scatter crowds and exacerbate potential chaos. The government maintains that these measures are necessary to prevent a repeat of the violence observed in Paris last Sunday.

Authorities are also monitoring the National Rally party congress in Orléans, where Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella are scheduled to speak. The event has attracted both supporters and counterprotesters, prompting police to station forces at city entry points to conduct security checks. Officers are actively searching for items that could disrupt public order as the government attempts to contain the broader wave of civil dissatisfaction.