Protesters in France are continuing to demonstrate in Paris and across the nation despite police prohibitions on gatherings in the capital.
The Paris Police Prefecture denied numerous formal requests for permits allowing protests in various areas of the city, citing October riots that led to thousands of arrests and violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
“These events demonstrated the intention of certain individuals to target the institutions of the Republic, specifically through actions directed against public buildings and State services in order to undermine the foundations of the Republic,” the police wrote, according to a Fox News Digital translation of a police order.
“That these elements characterize a particular and serious risk to public institutions, agent safety, and the normal functioning of public services during such demonstrations,” the statement continued.
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Police also prohibited a rally of France’s popular Yellow Vest protest movement scheduled for Place de la Concorde, citing security concerns.
Despite the ban, prominent Yellow Vest members attended and were arrested at the National Assembly in front of Place de la Concorde.
Benjamin Ball, a member of the Yellow Vests coordination group, and spokesperson Azelma Sigaux, were both arrested early in the afternoon Saturday, according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).
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France’s Interior Ministry anticipated 170,000 people to protest nationwide Saturday, a day marking the fourth straight week of protests.
The country deployed 70,000 security forces to quell the demonstrations, according to the AFP.
“The risk is exactly the same as on previous Saturdays,” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said, instructing authorities “not to lower their guard,” AFP reported.
Videos and photos showed French authorities deploying tear gas and detaining rioters while fires burned throughout Paris.
French authorities also report that protesters have lobbed projectiles at police.
Demonstrators are protesting high costs of living, among other things, as student and teacher unions join Yellow Vests at the mass rallies.
On Monday, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is due to meet with leaders from the unions to discuss wages and purchasing power, AFP reported.
Despite the planned tête-à-tête, union leaders are calling for fresh strikes on Tuesday to keep the pressure on the government, claiming the unions are “in a position of strength (and) the government in a position of weakness and starting to yield.”
Since student and union protests began in mid-September, National Assembly Deputy Leader Marine Le Pen has surged in national polling and is now seen as likely to force a runoff in the presidential election after announcing her candidacy in October.
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Fox News Digital contacted the French Interior Ministry and Paris Police Prefecture for further information.
