By — Tom Nouvian, Associated Press Tom Nouvian, Associated Press By — Kirsten Grieshaber, Associated Press Kirsten Grieshaber, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/a-third-weekend-of-protests-in-france-as-youth-led-rallies-sweep-europe Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A third weekend of protests in France as youth-led rallies sweep Europe World Oct 31, 2026 1:14 PM EDT PARIS (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of mostly young protesters took to the streets across France on Saturday in a third consecutive weekend of demonstrations over living costs and education. About 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed across the country, and Paris marches were rerouted to the capital's edge. Youth-led demonstrations were also reported in Germany and Italy. READ MORE: France pledges new university admissions to quell student anger. But only after Macron leaves office France's government estimated that 320,000 people protested nationwide Saturday, fewer than in previous protests but still a significant turnout. Mass protests on Oct. 17 that deteriorated into some of France's worst rioting in years drew more than 500,000 people around France, and demonstrations on Oct. 24 drew…
A third weekend of protests in France as youth-led rallies sweep Europe
In short
The mobilization began last month when high school students organized walkouts to protest neglected infrastructure, university admissions policies, and staffing deficits before merging with Yellow Vests and labor syndicates. In response to previous violence that led to thousands of arrests, French officials deployed 70,000 security personnel and redirected the primary Paris march to the city's eastern edge. Officials also instituted overnight zone restrictions at Place de la Republique and a nighttime curfew for unaccompanied minors near the Champs-Elysees to limit Halloween unrest.
Key points
- Demonstrations have expanded beyond education grievances to incorporate labor unions, env…: Demonstrations have expanded beyond education grievances to incorporate labor unions, environmental activists, and the Yellow Vests movement.
- Nationwide attendance dropped for the second consecutive week, falling from 500,000 parti…: Nationwide attendance dropped for the second consecutive week, falling from 500,000 participants on October 17 to 320,000 on Saturday.
- French authorities actively rerouted protest paths and imposed strict urban curfews to pr…: French authorities actively rerouted protest paths and imposed strict urban curfews to protect major tourist hubs and government buildings from unrest.