French authorities reported nearly 1,000 arrests after Oct. 24 demonstrations, while separate counts put turnout at 410,000 and nearly 800,000 at marches over living costs and student conditions.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez gave the preliminary arrest tally at 1:30 p.m. EDT (17:30 UTC) on Oct. 24. He said officials were still consolidating reports and that the number could rise.
The Associated Press reported that the Interior Ministry counted 410,000 demonstrators across 289 actions, compared with 550,000 at the Oct. 17 demonstrations. The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) estimated nearly 800,000 participants at 11:30 a.m. EDT (15:30 UTC) on Oct. 24.
The CGT said participants had mobilized over living costs and conditions for students. The union has blamed employers for living-cost pressures and austerity.
Le Monde reported tear gas and projectiles near Porte de Vincennes as the Paris march wound down. Separately, the Paris Police Prefecture said tear gas and a water cannon were used during crowd dispersal after projectiles were thrown.
Nuñez said 70,000 police and gendarmes would be mobilized. The Interior Ministry said its preparations drew on unrest during the Oct. 17 marches, when groups attacked public buildings, looted shops and assaulted police. It described route risk checks, transport hub controls and specialist units as parts of the operation.
The CGT has called for a strike and demonstration on Nov. 5.
