French authorities will deploy about 70,000 law enforcement officers, armoured vehicles, water cannons and helicopters to maintain order during protests planned for Saturday.
In addition, the Louvre and several other well-known museums in Paris will be closed, European Pravda reports, citing AP.
The measures follow last week’s events, when protests against the high cost of living escalated into the most violent riots in recent years, with vandalism, arson and clashes with police. On Saturday, demonstrators plan to take to the streets again, with students, trade unions and activists from the “yellow vests” movement expected to join.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez noted that social media is circulating radicals’ calls for violence and looting. Elite police units will be deployed to protect government buildings, and security forces will act firmly, detaining offenders immediately.
France’s Ministry of Culture confirmed that, in addition to the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the Picasso Museum, as well as the Grand Palais, will also be temporarily closed to visitors. The measures are being taken to ensure people’s safety and to protect valuable works of art.
- Meanwhile, on 23 October, French President Emmanuel Macron is holding a meeting with student organisations and secondary school pupils.
- Because of the protests, the PSG–Lyon match even had to be postponed at the prefecture’s request. The sporting event was due to take place on Sunday, 25 October. It will now be held on Monday evening.
- Police have so far authorised mass rallies for protesters in the eastern part of Paris.