France and Germany protests: 70,000 police on streets Saturday

Demonstrations are taking place in French and German cities on Saturday. In France, 70,000 police officers will be deployed on the streets, the agency reports. Student protests there began as early as mid-September, and in many cities they were accompanied by violent unrest and looting of shops. The authorities blame far-left groups.

In Paris, by court order, the rallies will be held on the eastern outskirts, far from the main shopping areas in the centre. The US embassy urged American tourists to avoid the areas where the demonstrations are taking place.

On Saturday the protests spread to neighbouring Germany, where more than thirty separate rallies have been announced. German protesters are also unhappy about the high cost of living, underfunded schools and universities, and the possible return of compulsory military service. Tens of thousands of people were expected to take part in Germany.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz