France is bracing for renewed unrest as protests are again planned across the country on Saturday. Authorities are concerned about a possible repetition of the level of violence recorded last weekend.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that a massive police presence should prevent violence and looting. He said that 70,000 police officers would be deployed across France. He added that there had been numerous calls for violence and looting, which were clearly messages from hooligans.
The minister stated that a number of demonstrations had already been banned. Gatherings would, he explained, be permitted if organisers provided stewards, provided they were not held in locations where looting, public order disturbances or similar incidents might occur. A march reported by trade unions was permitted in Paris, but the route was changed.
Despite restrictions on Saturday's demonstrations, the curfew in sensitive areas of cities remained in force, Nunez said.
Young people have been protesting for weeks demanding better equipment in schools. During the weekend, other groups joined their gatherings in numerous cities, including protests against high cost of living. Serious clashes broke out on the fringes of the protests.
