135 people detained in France during new protests against rising cost of living

Detentions and use of force in Lyon

On Saturday, 24 October, French law enforcement agencies detained 135 people amid new waves of protests. This was announced by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, noting that this number of arrests had been recorded as of 13:00.

Special police units appeared on the streets of Lyon again. It is reported that security forces used tear gas to disperse a group of approximately 150 people. Demonstrators attempted to block a road near the city centre, where restrictions on holding demonstrations are in effect.

Government reaction and eyewitness accounts

The French authorities are making efforts to prevent a repeat of the violent incidents that swept the country over the previous weekend. Mass protests at that time were accompanied by clashes with police, arson of buildings and vehicles, as well as looting of shops by masked individuals.

One participant in the current protests, a 21-year-old student, described the actions of law enforcement officers: «Поліція діє дуже оперативно. Вони прибувають та розганяють колони ще до того, як ті встигають сформуватися» (Police are acting very swiftly. They arrive and disperse the columns before they even have time to form).

The new round of protests is again focused on the issue of rising cost of living.