Foto: BB.LV / демонстрация
### Authorities and Organizers Assess the Scale of Protests Differently French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported that around 106,000 people participated in Saturday's demonstrations across the country. In Paris, according to official data, 24,000 protesters took to the streets. However, student unions provide different estimates. They claim that the total number of participants reached 200,000, with nearly half of them — about 100,000 — gathering in the capital. Thus, the estimates from organizers and authorities significantly diverge. A week earlier, on November 7, the fourth stage of protest mobilization took place in France. At that time, according to the Ministry of the Interior, 146,000 people participated in the demonstrations, including 46,000 in Paris. Comparing official figures, the current action was less numerous than the previous one. ### "Yellow Vests" Unite with Students and Other Movements The current demonstrations mark the fifth stage of a nationwide campaign against the high cost of living, which began on October 17. One of the organizers is the coordinating association of the "yellow vests." Youth and student organizations, including Union étudiante, Union syndicale lycéenne, Unef, and Fage, have joined the protests. According to [Le HuffPost](https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/france/article/14-novembre-manifestations-dispositif-policier-tout-ce-qu-il-faut-savoir-sur-l-acte-v_357260.html), the day before Saturday's actions, organizers registered 245 events across France. Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior expected between 50 and 60 major marches. The protest movement has also been joined by organizations advocating for other demands. Among them are child rights defenders, climate activists, and opponents of a bill concerning the use of weapons by law enforcement officers. Critics of the bill believe that the proposed changes could excessively expand police powers in the use of weapons. ### In Paris, Protesters March Through Bastille Square In the capital, French authorities approved the demonstration route from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via Place de la Bastille. The approval of the march was the result of negotiations between organizers and the police prefecture. Lawyer David Libeskind, representing the coordinating association of the "yellow vests," stated that the organizers managed to unite various social movements under one slogan. According to him, participants in the protests against the high cost of living, youth organizations, climate activists, and child rights defenders came together for the action. Representatives of regional branches of the CGT, FSU, and FO unions also participated in the discussion of the route. ### About 70,000 Security Forces Mobilized to Maintain Order French authorities prepared in advance for a new day of mass demonstrations. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported that around 70,000 police and gendarmes are planned to be deployed to ensure public order. According to him, law enforcement intends to use a mobile response system that allows for the rapid movement of units to areas of potential unrest. Particular attention is being paid to small groups of participants who may attempt to bypass police cordons. Nunez also warned about multi-level checks, which, according to authorities, help prevent clashes and disorder. > "As for all the rioters and looters, we are ready to meet them fully armed," said the minister. ### Police Tasked with Ensuring Journalists' Safety Ahead of the demonstrations, the Minister of the Interior sent a special telegram to prefects urging them to remain vigilant. Nunez warned that even with a decrease in the number of protests, there remains a risk of isolated outbreaks of violence. The minister also reminded that the use of special means, including police grenades, must comply with legislation and the principle of proportionality. Special attention in the directive is given to the work of media representatives. Prefects are instructed to adhere to the provisions of the National Scheme for Maintaining Public Order, regulating the presence of journalists at demonstrations and ensuring their safety. ### Protests Continue for the Fifth Week Mass protests against the high cost of living have been ongoing in France since mid-October. Although official statistics indicate a decrease in the number of participants compared to the previous Saturday, the protest movement maintains a broad composition of participants and spans different regions of the country. At the same time, the demands of the demonstrators have already gone beyond purely economic issues: organizations advocating for child protection, climate policy, and changes in police powers are joining the actions.
