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Saturday, October 24: Route, military deployment… the rally under high tension

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The Editor

© Jagoda Bartus / Le Bonbon

After a hectic first weekend, a second wave of protests jointly led by high school students and Yellow Vests is being organized in the capital this Saturday, October 24th. Facing this gathering, the government is already taking measures. So here's everything you need to know about routes, closures, and restrictions.

For weeks now, high school students' demands have been heard across France, with 800,000 people gathering in the streets on October 17th. A historic movement that unfortunately took place without incidents, violence and vandalism. And as an Act II has been announced for this Saturday, October 24th, the government has already announced drastic measures to ensure the day runs smoothly and to maintain order in the march.


A new protest route

Last weekend, the gathering was set to start at 2pm at Republic Square, heading to Clichy Square, in the 18th district. This time however, it's the route

Bastille-Opéra which was proposed by the organizers, without any precise route details for now. An announcement made at the prefecture this Wednesday, October 21 in the morning, or less than 3 days before the demonstration, as normally required by regulations. The question now is whether the prefect accepts this route or not, knowing that he had refused last weekend an arrival in this central Paris area, lined with numerous shops. The decision should come in the coming days, and the official route be revealed shortly after. One thing is certain though: be prepared to face a number of metro closures.


Drastic Measures

While uncertainty remains about the route the procession will take, one thing is certain: it will be heavily monitored. Indeed, in response to the violence and destruction that led to the destruction of several thousand shops last weekend, the government has decided to pull out all the stops this Saturday. Beyond the gendarmes, police officers and riot police who will this time ensure a more mobile mission — meaning following the procession — it's nothing less than the soldiers from Operation Sentinelle, as well as the BRI, the GIGN and the RAID who will be at their side, accompanied by helicopters, Centaur armored vehicles and security equipment

water rescuers. The goal is straightforward: ensure the safety of the main route, while intercepting more quickly the small groups of looters operating on the fringes.