What authorities expected

The demonstrations followed protests across France that turned into riots the previous weekend, and came after curfews and an alleged racist mass shooting on the outskirts of Paris the day before. Intelligence reports had predicted as many as 500,000 people taking to the streets nationwide, and suggested ultra-left agitators were plotting online to repeat the riots.

Paris under tight policing

In Paris, officers carried out a crackdown in the morning, saying they had seized weapons and gas masks. Precautions went further:

• •The protest route was changed, and changed again, keeping marchers well away from the city centre.
• •Museums were closed and businesses shuttered as police reported the situation.

Turnout and how the day unfolded

Police figures put the Paris protest turnout at 110,000, the same as the previous week. Across the country, the day's grievances were aired largely peacefully, although tear gas was fired in several cities and some cities saw confusion over last-minute changes to the permitted protest routes.

The voices on the march

Among those present was Fatima Khallouk, a French disability rights activist who writes for Yanous and is active with the French Communist Party.

An hour before its update, Paris police described the situation in one line:

Museums remained closed and businesses shuttered at that point.