France's Interior Ministry reported nearly 2,400 arrests linked to Saturday's protests over living costs and school conditions. President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting after Saturday's unrest; clashes resumed in Paris and Lyon on Sunday.
The arrest figure covers the Oct. 17 unrest. An earlier nationwide tally of 272 arrests had been recorded by 9 a.m. ET (13:00 UTC) that day. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 550,000 people joined 110 marches; the CGT union estimated nearly 800,000 participants.
On Sunday, police used tear gas near Place de la République as new confrontations broke out in central Paris. El País's Paris correspondent reported that groups set rental bicycles alight near the square. Shops were looted nearby, and unrest continued in Lyon.
Nuñez said looting during Saturday's demonstrations affected Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. Macron promised support for businesses damaged in the unrest. Nuñez defended the right to demonstrate while condemning violence.
The mobilization grew out of September demonstrations by students at a high school in Créteil. Their grievances concerned school facilities and staffing; wider protests brought together unions, student groups and Yellow Vest activists amid concerns over living costs.
Macron said the prime minister would meet students, educators, unions and other representatives in the coming days.
