France prepares massive police deployment for Halloween protests amid rising tensions

France is gearing up for large-scale demonstrations on Halloween, with interior minister Laurent Nuñez announcing a deployment of 70,000 police officers, the same level as on Oct. 24. Nuñez told a news conference that the day posed a "very high risk to public order" and warned that calls from far-left and radicalized groups were urging people to gather after 8 p.m. in many cities. He said some messages advocated "revolution" and "insurrection" and that any illegal gathering would be prohibited and result in arrests. The minister also reminded that concealing one’s face during a disrupted demonstration is a criminal offense.

The protests, which began with high-school students in suburban Paris demanding better resources and smaller class sizes, have expanded to include university students, public workers and former "yellow vest" activists. The education ministry has responded with measures such as capping class sizes and offering low-interest loans for school repairs, but students say they will continue to demonstrate.

Authorities noted that social-media platforms are being used to mobilize participants, and President Emmanuel Macron denied reports that the government was considering a temporary suspension of major sites. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reportedly asked telecom operators to be ready to block certain apps, though his office declined to comment on the letter’s authenticity.

Police have already arrested thousands of protesters since the unrest began in September, with injuries reported among police, school staff and demonstrators. While most marchers are expected to remain peaceful, officials said they are most concerned about potential clashes after nightfall.