Out of 400 thousand protesters, a thousand were taken into custody in France

Nearly a thousand people were detained during protests in France, with conflicting estimates of participants ranging from 400,000 to 800,000. Following mostly peaceful demonstrations, police used tear gas and water cannons in several cities, including Paris, to disperse crowds. The government deployed around 70,000 officers and imposed restrictions to prevent looting and arson. President Macron issued a decree allowing only recognized unions to organize protests. He accused far-left groups of attempting to destabilize the republic, while foreign influences were suggested as a factor in the unrest. Protests have also erupted in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Albania, driven by various grievances, including rising living costs and poor school conditions.