PARIS — French authorities arrested 1,314 people during nationwide demonstrations Saturday, while 53 security personnel were injured, the Interior Ministry announced Sunday, reporting a sharp decline in violence compared with protests a week earlier.
The figures represent a significant decrease from the first day of mobilization on October 17, when 2,628 people were arrested and 1,144 security personnel were injured, according to French broadcaster BFMTV.
The Interior Ministry estimated that 410,000 people participated in Saturday’s demonstrations across France, including 110,000 in Paris.
Trade unions disputed the official figures, estimating nationwide turnout at nearly 800,000, including 250,000 demonstrators in the capital.
Authorities reported that 24 businesses were looted during Saturday’s protests, compared with 1,522 on October 17, a decline of more than 98%.
Fire-related emergency interventions also fell sharply, with 75 incidents recorded compared with 2,025 a week earlier.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the overall outcome of the demonstrations as positive, saying security measures had helped prevent widespread looting and damage to public buildings.
In Marseille, police arrested 71 people, including 40 adults, during Saturday’s demonstrations. Of those detained, 61 were placed in police custody.
Seven businesses were looted or vandalized in the southern port city.
Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan described the demonstration as “peaceful,” despite minor incidents toward the end of the march.
He said the situation was considerably calmer than during the October 17 protests, when several businesses were looted.
In Paris, police arrested 142 people, including 126 who were placed in custody, according to the Paris police prefecture.
Two businesses were damaged, including one that was looted, while police prevented protesters from entering another establishment.
Despite the overall decline in violence, serious injuries were reported in other cities.
In Clermont-Ferrand, one demonstrator sustained a serious hand injury, although authorities confirmed that no fingers were lost.
Another person suffered a serious hand injury during demonstrations in Toulouse.
The latest figures indicate a substantial reduction in arrests, injuries among security personnel and property damage compared with the previous weekend, although demonstrations continued to draw hundreds of thousands of participants nationwide.
Source: Saudi Gazette