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● LIVE Updated 55m ago Β· 20 sources tracked

French authorities deploy 70,000 officers for Saturday protests; Louvre and other museums closed

French authorities are deploying 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide for Saturday protests. The Louvre and several other major Paris museums will shut down to prevent renewed violence. The mobilization includes helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. Businesses are boarding up ahead of the demonstrations. Protests last week devolved into severe mayhem, featuring fires, looting, smashed shop windows, and clashes with police. President Emmanuel Macron has tightened protest restrictions and blamed the hard left for the unrest.

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  • βœ“ France will deploy about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide on Saturday.
  • βœ“ The Louvre and several other major Paris museums will close on Saturday.
  • βœ“ Protests last week devolved into mayhem with fires, looting, and clashes with police.
  • βœ“ President Emmanuel Macron blamed the hard left for the unrest and tightened curbs on protests.
πŸ›‘οΈ Source Corroboration: 20 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

French authorities announced the nationwide deployment of 70,000 law enforcement officers and the closure of major Paris museums ahead of Saturday demonstrations.

Live updates

  1. France Deploys 70,000 Officers and Shuts Museums

    French authorities are deploying 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide for Saturday protests. The Louvre and several other major Paris museums will shut down to prevent renewed violence. The mobilization includes helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. Businesses are boarding up ahead of the demonstrations. Protests last week devolved into severe mayhem, featuring fires, looting, smashed shop windows, and clashes with police. President Emmanuel Macron has tightened protest restrictions and blamed the hard left for the unrest.

    Why it matters

    The massive security mobilization follows some of the most violent unrest seen in France in years during previous demonstrations. Authorities are taking extra precautions to safeguard cultural landmarks and commercial areas from looting and structural damage. President Macron has also pledged to overhaul university admissions.

    What is confirmed

    • France will deploy about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide on Saturday.
    • The Louvre and several other major Paris museums will close on Saturday.
    • Protests last week devolved into mayhem with fires, looting, and clashes with police.
    • President Emmanuel Macron blamed the hard left for the unrest and tightened curbs on protests.

    Still unconfirmed

    • A French police union leader stated that the heavy security deployment is reassuring, though questioned if it will actually be used.

    What to watch next

    • Whether the 70,000 deployed officers prevent widespread looting and violence during Saturday protests.
    • The official impact of President Macron's announced university admissions overhaul and protest curbs.
    Sources used for this update (21)
    1. abcnews.com β€” ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
    2. www.koreatimes.co.kr β€” Saudi Arabia strikes Yemen capital as Houthis vow to retaliate
    3. Reuters β€” France's Macron tightens curbs on protests, blaming hard left for unrest
    4. The New York Times β€” In the Wake of Riots, French Authorities Ban Some Protests
    5. AP News β€” Paris' Louvre and other top museums will shut down on Saturday over concern about protest violence
    6. The Guardian β€” France to deploy 70,000 police across country on Saturday to prevent unrest
    7. The Washington Post β€” In the streets of Paris, a common refrain: β€˜People are fed up’
    8. Bloomberg.com β€” In Riot-Hit Cities, the French Snap Up Weapons for Self Defense
    9. Town & Country Magazine β€” Here Are the Museums in Paris That Will Be Closed This Weekend
    10. Fox News β€” Businesses board up ahead of next wave of France protests
    11. Bloomberg.com β€” Macron Pledges to Overhaul University Admissions, Report Says
    12. www.theleader.com.au β€” France to deploy 70,000 officers, as Louvre shuts doors
    confidence 95%
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