Key facts
- The Porte d'Italie was the site of the only authorized protest in Paris.
- Nearly 800 protests, riots, and demonstrations were planned throughout France.
- Some protesters called for President Macron to quit.
Protests began across France on Saturday, with authorities deploying 70,000 law enforcement officers nationwide amid fears of renewed violence. In Paris, the Porte d'Italie hosted the only authorized demonstration, while police dispersed unauthorized gatherings in cities like Lyon and Nice. French authorities anticipated up to half a million people would protest across the country, mirroring the scale of previous unrest. Last weekend's demonstrations devolved into riots, with instances of fires, property damage, looting, and clashes with police.