France deploys 70,000 personnel ahead of new protests

 

TT-AFP

 

Published 13.40

 

Police clash with protesters in Paris on Saturday, October 17. Photo: Thibault Camus /AP/TT

Ahead of planned protests this weekend, France is deploying 70,000 security personnel—including police, armored vehicles, and water cannons.

"We have noted a large number of calls [to action] from far-left and radical left-wing movements," said Interior Minister Laurent Nunez at a press conference on Friday.

Nunez also warned that calls for violence and looting are already circulating on social media.

Several requests to hold demonstrations this weekend have been denied. According to President Emmanuel Macron, only those organized by trade unions will be granted permission.