What if getting around Paris becomes even a little more complicated this Saturday? On November 14, between 30,000 and 60,000 protesters are expected in the capital for a fifth Saturday of protests against the high cost of living. According to the organizers, the march will proceed from Place de la République to Place de la Nation, passing through Bastille. Several unions and activist groups will participate in this rally, which could lead to traffic restrictions and metro station closures in eastern Paris.
Who is marching, and how many people are expected?
This Saturday, November 14, marks the fifth consecutive weekend of protests against the high cost of living. Dubbed “Act V” by the Yellow Vests, this new rally brings together several organizations seeking, in particular, to denounce the decline in purchasing power and the rising cost of living.
Alongside the Yellow Vests and youth organizations, the Île-de-France branches of other organizations have announced their participation. Other protests are planned for Saturday. The Collectif Enfantiste will demonstrate against violence against children and adolescents, while various associations will denounce a proposed law concerning the use of weapons by law enforcement. Opponents have dubbed the proposed law a “license to kill.”
According to estimates from intelligence services reported by BFMTV and Ouest-France, between 30,000 and 60,000 people could take to the streets of Paris. This is a significant mobilization, given that last Saturday’s rallies had already drawn 146,000 demonstrators across France, according to the Ministry of the Interior, and 250,000 according to the youth labor coalition.
On the government side, Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment of approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide. As was the case last week, law enforcement will conduct identity checks and bag searches in advance to prevent any disturbances.
République, Bastille, and Nation: Which neighborhoods will be affected?
The main disruptions are expected in eastern Paris. The march is set to depart from Place de la République and proceed to Place de la Nation, passing through Bastille, according to the Yellow Vests coordination group. They state that the police prefecture authorized the route on Thursday, November 12.
With a march passing through several neighborhoods in eastern Paris, traffic is likely to be disrupted. Access to surrounding streets may be difficult while the demonstrators are passing through. These streets may also be temporarily closed. The passage of thousands of demonstrators could disrupt daily life in these neighborhoods for the duration of the day.
For residents and anyone planning to go out on Saturday, it’s best to plan ahead for travel in this area. The exact restrictions will depend on the final route and the decisions made by the authorities.
Metro and Traffic: How to Get Around This Saturday?
The protests could also affect public transportation. Temporary metro station closures remain possible, particularly near the march route.
During the protest on Thursday, November 5, the RATP closed 25 stations at the request of the police prefecture. This situation could repeat itself on Saturday, although no closures should be considered confirmed until an official announcement is made. Please note that this does not mean all stations near the route will be closed. Decisions may be made at the last minute and could change depending on how the protests unfold.
If you need to pass through République, Bastille, or Nation, be sure to check traffic conditions before heading out.
After Saturday, another strike is scheduled for Tuesday
November 14 is part of a particularly busy social calendar. This Friday, November 13, public-sector unions are meeting at Matignon to discuss a possible pay raise for civil servants.
Another day of strikes has also been announced for Tuesday, November 17, in the public sector. The CGT is also calling on employees of private companies to join the protests.
In the meantime, several neighborhoods in eastern Paris may experience disruptions this Saturday. Information regarding station closures and possible route changes should be checked with the RATP and the Prefecture of Police.