French riot police faced violent attacks involving mortars and molotov cocktails during a large protest in Paris on Saturday evening, escalating clashes that have marked the third consecutive weekend of unrest in the capital. The demonstration, known as “Acte III,” drew a broad coalition of far-left, communist, pro-Palestinian, unionist, and student groups, leading to confrontations between demonstrators and specialized police units.
The march followed a route from Porte de Bagnolet to Porte de Charenton and initially proceeded without incident, featuring activities such as a student-hosted rave and street vendors. However, tensions intensified around 4 p.m. when some protesters began throwing projectiles at police forces positioned at one end of the route. Riot officers responded with tear gas, affecting several city blocks. An estimated several thousand police officers deployed to contain the unrest as protesters launched petrol bombs, fireworks, and other objects, with anarchist elements also igniting spot fires.
Five police officers sustained injuries during the disturbances, including one who suffered burns after catching fire. Others required aid on-site following exposure to tear gas and physical assaults. At least one demonstrator was also treated for injuries sustained during the protests. Officials reported that police faced a hard-to-contain crowd, including some trapped in a pincer movement following molotov cocktail attacks.
Estimates of the protest size vary significantly. Union officials put the number of participants at over 200,000, while police sources reported a figure closer to 70,000. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the situation as unprecedented in terms of the violence faced by security forces, citing “groups of vandals and looters” attacking police and firefighters nationwide. He warned that further outbreaks of violence were anticipated overnight and called for decisive law enforcement responses to maintain order.
Several politicians from France’s right-wing parties condemned the violent actions. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, called for the “utmost severity” in prosecuting those responsible for attacks against police. Bruno Retailleau of the Republicans labeled the use of molotov cocktails as attempted murder, while Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti questioned the government’s refusal to designate far-left groups as terrorist organizations.
On the other side of the political spectrum, far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a participant in the rally, criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of the situation. Mélenchon asserted that public opposition would persist despite police tactics such as metro station closures and court-mandated changes to the protest route. He characterized the large turnout as a sign that the government would ultimately have to concede or resign.
The unrest in Paris occurred amid similar violence in other parts of France and Europe. On the same day, authorities mobilized military forces and reinforced police presence to safeguard public buildings nationwide. Additionally, protests in Frankfurt, Germany, descended into disorder, with masked rioters looting shops and firebombing police. German police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators affiliated with the youth-organized group “Genzregelt!” Several officers were reported injured amid the clashes.
French officials have expressed particular concern over potential “wildcat marches” and related disturbances planned across various cities in the coming days, corresponding with Halloween festivities. Intelligence agencies have issued warnings about anticipated violent outbreaks, prompting authorities to prepare “powerful, responsive, and agile” countermeasures to restore public order.