Key facts
- 70,000 security forces to be mobilized for Saturday's protest.
- Calls for looting and violence have been observed on social media.
- Military forces from Operation Sentinelle will be deployed to support police and gendarmes.
- Banning undeclared demonstrations that could lead to public disorder is being considered.
France will mobilize 70,000 security forces across the country for an upcoming Saturday protest, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced Friday. Nunez stated that calls for looting and violence have been made on social media by the far-left, prompting authorities to prepare for a firm response. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu had previously announced a "massive" security operation, which will include deploying military forces from Operation Sentinelle to free up police and gendarmes for public-order missions. The interior minister is also considering banning undeclared demonstrations that could lead to public disorder.