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Nationwide demonstrations against the rising cost of living continued across France on October 24, with police detaining 135 people, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said, according to BFMTV and France 24.
Authorities seized metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, homemade weapons, a katana and airsoft guns, Nuñez said.
The minister reported 136 demonstrations taking place across the country, about half the number recorded at the same time the previous Saturday. Around 35,000 people had gathered in public spaces on October 24, compared with 60,000 on October 17.
In Orléans, protesters demonstrated against a convention held by the National Rally party, informally led by Marine Le Pen. Participants chanted anti-fascist slogans and held signs criticizing the party and its leadership.
Police estimated that around 11,000 people took part in the Orléans demonstration.
Ahead of the protests, luxury boutiques in France boarded up their storefronts and hired private security. Some shops remained closed after the weekend following looting at retail outlets in several parts of the country.
