For the fifth Saturday, 106,000 protesters took to the streets across France to decry the rising cost of life and defend public services, marking the lowest turnout since demonstrations began on October 17, Ara.cat reported.
Authorities reported that a total of 106,000 demonstrators participated in more than 50 rallies nationwide, with 24,000 marching in Paris. In contrast, the student union confederation put the total turnout at 200,000, estimating nearly half of those gathered in the capital.
Official tallies show a decline in participation since the movement’s launch. On October 17, authorities counted 550,000 protesters, followed by 410,000 on October 24, 320,000 on October 31, and 146,000 on the previous Saturday.
Demonstrators expanded their platform beyond economic grievances to oppose a proposed bill on the presumed self-defense of law enforcement, which critics argue grants police a “right to kill.” Other groups rallied to denounce violence against children and adolescents.
“There is an entire people rising up and saying to the governments and the multimillionaires they serve: enough!” said Benjamin Ball, the primary spokesperson for the yellow vests, speaking at the Place de la République in Paris, Ara.cat reported. Ball and student union leaders insisted the movement is not exhausting itself.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez maintained a maximum security posture with 70,000 officers deployed nationwide. While most marches proceeded calmly, security forces used riot gear to disperse incidents in Nantes, Lyon, and at the conclusion of the Paris march.
Local merchants reported severe financial strain from the persistent disruptions. “It is a really serious situation for commerce; we are killing local commerce in Paris,” said Franck Delvau, president of the UMIH for the Paris region, Ara.cat reported.
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