The fifth consecutive day of protests in France over the cost of living are planned for Saturday, November 14th – from demo routes to policing and protest numbers, here’s what to expect.
The Gilets Jaunes are continuing their calls for Saturday protests over the rising cost of living, but turnout is expected to be lower this weekend, the fifth consecutive one of protests.
Once again, the police presence will be heavy, with the Interior Ministry announcing a deployment of 70,000 police.
The Gilet Jaunes interactive map shows 237 events planned for Saturday, November 14th, in towns and cities around France. But not all of these are marches, some are static demos, sit-ins or roundabout protests.
The government says that it expects between 50 and 60 events around the country.
The expected turnout is lower than in previous weeks, when unions and student protesters joined Gilets Jaunes events, but also on Saturday a group called Collectif enfantiste is organising a series of events to raise awareness of violence against children.
Towns including Bordeaux, Avignon and Toulouse are expected to have both Gilet Jaunes and Collectif enfantiste events.
In Paris, local branches of the CGT, FSU and FO unions have indicated that they will join the demos, along with students, on a march planned from République to Nation, although it is not yet confirmed that police will authorise this route.
A separate event to protest police violence has been called, as well as an event raising awareness of violence against children – between the three events a predicted 30,000 to 60,000 people are expected to be on the streets.
All three have planned to gather at République, with the Gilets Jaunes and anti-police violence protesters heading to Nation, as shown below.
Meanwhile, the international event against violence against children is set to go towards Bastille, as shown below.
There will be road closures along the routes chosen, as well as some Metro station closures on Saturday afternoon – the marches are scheduled to begin at 2pm.
Meanwhile on Friday blockades continue at some lycées, although those involved now number just a couple of dozen, mostly in the Paris region.