French police fire tear gas, disperse demonstrators as nation braces for another weekend of protests

Updated on: October 24, 2026 / 8:04 AM EDT / CBS/AP

French police started firing tear gas at protesters on Saturday as authorities stepped up security in major cities, aiming to prevent a repeat of last week's rioting. The nationwide demonstrations are focused on the high cost of living, and a massive turnout is expected again after more than half a million took to the streets last week.

France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said as many as 70,000 officers will be deployed nationwide, along with helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons.

Demonstrations had been banned in the southeast city of Lyon, but about 150 protesters near the city's center briefly tried to block a road. Police fired tear gas to disperse the group. A 21-year-old student, who spoke to the Agence France-Presse on the condition of anonymity, described authorities as "really mobile."

"They come and disperse marches before they even form," the student said. A police helicopter was seen flying over the city, and security forces, armored vehicles and riot police vans were patrolling.

In Orleans, thousands of people marched against a congress held by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party. Le Pen is launching her campaign to succeed…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/