31.10.2026 20:40
Reactions to the high cost of living in France have turned into mass demonstrations again. The Yellow Vests organized marches in many cities, especially Paris, against the government's economic policies. In the protests, which students and trade unions also joined, police intervention occurred in some cities, while security forces used tear gas and water cannons to bring the demonstrations under control.
In France, the Yellow Vests, protesting the high cost of living, took to the streets again in many cities, especially Paris. In the demonstrations, also supported by trade unions and students, the government's economic and education policies were protested, while tensions occurred between police and demonstrators in some cities.
A MARCH WAS HELD IN PARIS
The demonstration in the capital Paris began at 14:00 local time at Porte de Bagnolet, outside the city center. Marching toward Porte de Charenton, demonstrators chanted "We want a general strike," "The streets are ours," and "We are young, determined, revolutionary."
Demonstrators carried banners reading "We want to live," "Freedom," and targeting President Emmanuel Macron. While the demonstration protested rising racism in the country, Palestinian flags and keffiyehs were also carried in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
Because the demonstrations coincided with Halloween, some participants were seen wearing costumes of comic book characters. A helicopter belonging to law enforcement also patrolled along the march route.
POLICE INTERVENTION IN MANY CITIES
At Porte de Charenton in Paris, where the march ended, police intervened with pepper spray against demonstrators as the crowd became dense.
According to reports in the national press, tensions also occurred between police and demonstrators in Rennes, Marseille, and Lyon. In Rennes, police used pepper spray and batons against demonstrators. In Lyon, after demonstrators threw various objects at police, police intervened with pepper spray.
In Marseille, it was reported that masked individuals threw stones and glass bottles at police, while security forces used pepper spray. In Toulouse, police seeking to disperse an unauthorized demonstration intervened with water cannon and pepper spray.
GOVERNMENT INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES
After the violent incidents during the Yellow Vests demonstrations held in France on October 17, the government had increased security measures. It was reported that more than 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted during the demonstrations, and various measures, including partial curfews in some areas, had been taken against new actions.
Despite the measures taken, the Yellow Vests also took to the streets on October 24. According to the information provided, more than a thousand people have been injured and about 2,000 people have been detained in the actions so far.