Approximately 1,000 people were detained or arrested, and there were serious injuries, looting, and clashes in several cities across France—this is the toll from Saturday’s protests.
In Paris, clashes broke out after the demonstration ended, with police using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse groups that attacked security forces.
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Interior Minister Laurent Nunez maintained that the police maintained control, despite the increase in arrests. Meanwhile, clashes between rival far-right political groups and incidents of violence were reported in various parts of the country.
Widespread police operation and clashes across the country
The demonstration on Saturday, October 24, took place under strict security measures (70,000 police officers), with hundreds of thousands of citizens participating.
According to the French Ministry of the Interior, approximately 410,000 people took part in 289 demonstrations, while the CGT labor confederation estimated the turnout at more than 800,000 protesters. The demands focused on purchasing power, strengthening public services, and social and tax justice.
Riots in Paris tonight https://t.co/yWRwBBdk9v
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 24, 2026
In Paris, tensions escalated as the rally was being dispersed. Groups of people, many of whom were dressed in black, broke away from the march and clashed with police, throwing objects. Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades, while clashes continued during the operation to disperse the crowd.
BREAKING: Rioters in France are throwing Molotov cocktails at police officers in Paris. https://t.co/FAt0UF7xoO
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) October 25, 2026
Similar scenes were reported in Marseille, where clashes broke out as the march concluded, as well as in Lille, where police forces used tear gas and water cannons to counter attacks with projectiles. The French newspaper Le Parisien described a comprehensive operational plan aimed at preventing further vandalism and attacks on public buildings.
Il est 22 h 19. La situation à Marseille est catastrophique ce soir. Il y a une censure sur les réseaux sociaux, c’est très compliqué de recevoir les vidéos. #24octobre #24octobre2026 #manifestations https://t.co/TIziZh3tkq
— dimitrimezol (@dimitrimezol) October 24, 2026
The tally of arrests
In his assessment of the operation, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez noted that the protests generally went more smoothly than those on October 17, despite incidents of violence. By the afternoon, the number of arrests had reached nearly 1,000, compared to 385 at the same time the previous week.
The minister stated that the police had prevented many attempted looting incidents and attacks on public buildings. He clarified, however, that the final figures could rise as security agencies completed their data collection. His assessment that the operation was successful refers primarily to limiting the spread of the incidents and does not diminish the scale of the arrests and the destruction.
Serious Injuries and Damage in Other Cities
Two serious injuries in Toulouse and Clermont-Ferrand caused particular concern. According to the minister’s statements, one person suffered a serious injury to the arm, while a second was seriously injured in the face. The circumstances of these incidents require further investigation.
In Lyon, despite a ban on gatherings in the city center, groups of protesters moved to various parts of the city. The prefecture reported 36 arrests and 22 injuries, including 18 members of the security forces. At the same time, damage to stores and looting were reported. Mayor Grégory Douchet condemned the destruction, emphasizing that it was unrelated to the social demands of the protests.
Clashes Between the Far Left and the Far Right
In Nice, reports of clashes between rival political groups highlighted an additional risk: the possibility that the social protests could turn into a battleground for organized political factions.
Plusieurs de nos journalistes signalent la présence de membres de l’ultra droite dans le centre-ville de Nice, vers Hôtel des Postes et Alberti. Après avoir été dispersés sur Jean-Médecin par la police, notre journaliste a été témoin d’une scène très violente, stoppée par l’intervention des forces de l’ordre, qu’il qualifie de "surréaliste".
— Nice-Matin (@Nice_Matin) October 24, 2026
In Orléans, thousands of citizens took part in an anti-fascist rally, held in parallel with the convention of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen’s party.
Source: iefimerida.gr
