France Deploys Thousands of Security Personnel as Anti-Inflation Protests Resume

After last week's violence in France, anti-inflation protests will once again take place across the country today. About 70,000 security personnel have been deployed across the country to prevent violence and looting. Special police teams, about 20 armoured vehicles and 15 water cannons will be deployed. More than 500,000 people took to the streets last Saturday. Shops were vandalised, looting and cars set on fire during the demonstrations. More than 2,700 people have been arrested so far. Curfews have been imposed in several cities and gatherings are banned. The Louvre museum in Paris will be closed, while a football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon has also been postponed. The movement, which began over the poor state of schools, has now also spread to protest against inflation, rising costs and cuts to government facilities. President Emmanuel Macron met with representatives of student organisations on Friday. The situation in schools more than a month ago led to his first direct meeting with trade unionists.