France to deploy 70,000 security personnel for Oct. 31 protests

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 70,000 security personnel would be deployed across the country on Oct. 31 to maintain public order.

“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports, citing foreign media.

Speaking to journalists, Nunez said Oct. 31, which falls on Halloween, would pose a “very high risk” to public order. The minister said some radical groups had issued calls for violence on social media and warned that the police and gendarmerie would respond “extremely firmly.”

According to the reports, labor movements, radical far-left groups and some factions of the “Yellow Vests” movement have called for mass demonstrations in several French cities from 8 p.m. on Saturday.

The Interior Ministry recalled that 70,000 security personnel were also deployed during marches held last Saturday, which drew 410,000 people. It said the deployment helped prevent a repeat of looting and vandalism reported on Oct. 17.

Trade unions and student organizations in the country said discontent over wages, rising living costs and public services was intensifying. They announced new demonstrations on Oct. 31 and a nationwide strike on Nov. 5.