France Halloween protests: minister warns of violent unrest

French Interior Minister Nuñez has warned that evening protests on Saturday, 31 October, could turn into serious violence. Organizers have disguised calls to take to the streets at 8 p.m. in squares across the country as Halloween parties, uniting them under the slogan “Night of Darkness”.

What the organizers are planning

According to French media, many groups are calling on people to gather at night “at 8 p.m. in all the squares of France”. Protests are planned in many cities. In Paris, the CGT, one of the most influential trade unions, has announced a march from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation. The “yellow vests” have planned their own march from the Bastille via the Opéra to Place de la Concorde. It is not yet clear whether the Paris police prefecture will allow the demonstrations.

What the minister says

Nuñez said several calls had appeared on social media to gather in city centers “under the pretext of Halloween”. An analysis of these calls, he told a TV channel, showed that their authors want to commit violence. The minister believes the risk of “urban violence is very high”. He asked prefects to pay particular attention to demonstrations scheduled for 8 p.m. The calls are becoming more frequent, and with them the danger of “wild marches” disguised as Halloween parties is growing.

The wave reaches Germany

On the last day of October, the protests will spread from France to Germany. Preparations are already under way there: in central Cologne, shop entrances and windows are being boarded up to protect them from looting and vandalism. According to police, the number of people expected at the announced demonstration has risen sharply. Initially 5,000 people were registered, but since Wednesday the figure has grown to 15,000.

Around Prague guide on the topic: Halloween in Czechia: when it is celebrated and why the main day is 2 November

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz