France Plans 70,000-Strong Police Deployment for Protests

France planned to deploy about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide on Saturday, October 24, as authorities prepared for demonstrations following violent unrest the previous weekend. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment, which officials said would be 10,000 personnel larger than the previous Saturday’s operation. The protests were planned amid anger over living costs and public services, but their turnout and whether disorder would recur remained uncertain. Nuñez said the security operation would include specialist police units, helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons. Authorities have also restricted demonstrations in several cities and imposed curfews in some areas. In Paris, officials authorized a union-organized march on a limited route between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. Other planned gatherings faced restrictions, though organizers including student groups said they intended to proceed. Rules varied by location. Marseille authorities reversed a blanket protest ban to permit one union-organized demonstration on Saturday. Lyon, Nice and Montpellier were among the cities where authorities announced bans or restrictions...