What to expect on October 31st

The Gilets Jaunes have called for a third day of protests, dubbed “Act III – Halloween”, focusing on public freedoms and the right to demonstrate.

This time, organisers are planning sit-ins outside town halls and the Assemblée Nationale (the French parliament) in Paris, rather than a large march.

However, the plans have not yet been officially confirmed. At the time of publication, no demonstrations have been formally declared to the Paris police préfecture, so locations and arrangements could still change, while authorities may once again ban or restrict actions.

It’s also possible that unions could declare their own marches or demos on the day.

Any events that do take place are likely to do so under strict policing conditions, after the October 17th protests were marred by widespread violence and looting in towns and cities across France.

Here is what we know so far about the planned protests;

According to the programme published by the Gilets Jaunes’ coordination group, the planned actions include a two-day demonstration.

On Friday, October 30th – a gathering outside the Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly) in Paris from 6pm to 9pm, followed by a casserolade (a noisy protest involving banging pots and pans) at 7pm outside town halls and in streets across France. 

On Saturday, October 31st – gatherings and sit-ins starting 2pm outside the Assemblée Nationale and town halls nationwide.

In Paris, a map of planned actions already lists potential sit-ins outside several arrondissement town halls – Paris Centre (combining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th arrondissements) as well as the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th arrondissements. Again, these locations remain provisional.

Why are the Gilets Jaunes focusing on public freedoms?

The movement’s demands have shifted since October 17th, when protesters focused on the rising cost of living and fuel prices in the country.

For the latest mobilisation, organisers are criticising what they describe as the government’s increasingly authoritarian approach, following restrictions on demonstrations and night-time curfews in several cities.

They are calling for curfews to be lifted, an amnesty for protesters who have been arrested and investigations into alleged violence by law enforcement officers.

They also want to bring together school pupils, university students, workers, farmers and retirees in a convergence des luttes – a gathering of different social movements.

Could lycée students join the protests on October 31st?

Lycée students have been another driving force behind the wider mobilisation, with protests spreading across France since mid-September. Early October saw teenagers blockading schools to protest against a lack of resources and demand changes to the education system.

READ ALSO: Analysis: Are French lycées really all that bad?

For the moment, student organisations have not issued a separate call for demonstrations on October 31st. However, the Gilets Jaunes have invited pupils and students to join their proposed gatherings.

Further blockades at high schools and university campuses are also possible when classes resume on Monday, November 2nd, following the Toussaint school holidays (All Saints’ Day).

What’s the situation for Paris?

On October 24th, more than 30 Metro stations were reportedly closed during the day at the request of the police including stations around the Champs-Élysées, the Élysée Palace, the National Assembly and government ministries.

If the proposed sit-in outside the National Assembly goes ahead, similar restrictions could affect nearby stations, including Assemblée Nationale and Solférino on line 12, Invalides on lines 8 and 13 and the RER C, and Concorde on lines 1, 8 and 12.

However, it’s far from certain that it will be allowed – on Saturday police changed the route of a planned demo at the last minute and forced organisers to hold it at the far eastern edge of the city.

Travellers should check RATP traffic updates on the day of the proposed protests, or use a travel app like CityMaper or Google Maps. 

Roads may also be closed.

Unions call for wider strikes in November

Trade unions are also calling for a nationwide day of strikes and demonstrations on Thursday, November 5th. Rail workers are being encouraged to join the movement, meaning transport disruption could be more significant.

READ ALSO: French rail workers join November strike

Almost all major unions have called for workers to take part in action over wages, pensions and public services. France’s hardline CGT union has also called for strikes to be expanded from November 5th onwards.