The French Government estimated today in 779 the final number of arrests following the Saturday demonstrations, in which there were no serious incidents despite calls for violence.
© Aruallan / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images
01/11/2026
by
Lusa
O The French Government estimated today in 779 the final number of arrests following the Saturday demonstrations, in which there were no serious incidents despite the calls for violence.
The final figures were presented by the French Ministry of Interior and are well below the 1,314 held in the mobilizations on 24th and, mainly, the 2,628 of 17th October, a day marked by serious riots and looting throughout the country.
In addition to the conflict, the level of participation in appeals also decreased, with 320,000 people on the streets, compared with 550,000 last week, according to the count presented by the Ministry of Interior.
In total, 291 actions were accounted for in this ‘third act’ of the protests, which brought together 320,000 people, 70,000 of them in Paris, according to the Ministry of Interior’s balance sheet, which highlights the execution of 40,000 controls throughout the country.
Organizers – trade unions, students and the ‘yellow vests’ movement – speak of 500,000 protesters.
By comparison, on October 24 there were 289 actions with 410,000 participants, 110,000 of them in Paris. On October 17, authorities recorded 441 actions with 550,000 people, 110,000 of them in Paris.
The ministry led by Laurent Nuñez had already considered last night that the demonstrations had evolved well, although some protesters had acted with “unprecedented violence” at the end of the marches.
The government also indicated that 116 members of the military were injured, local media reported.
One of the most serious incidents occurred in Paris, at the end of the route taken by demonstrators, Porte de Charenton, where a ‘cocktail molotov’ was launched against a group of police and guards, causing minor injuries to at least one agent.
An investigation was opened for attempted murder against persons exercising public authority, according to the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office.
The rigorous police operation and restrictions on circulation managed to avoid serious incidents during the night, which was feared to be problematic due to calls – from extreme left-wing groups and other radicalized groups – on social networks to take advantage of the ‘Halloween’ night to commit acts of violence.