In Paris, clashes broke out near Porte de Charenton, where protesters hurled glass bottles and fireworks at officers. Police responded with stun grenades and tear gas, causing many peaceful marchers to turn back and disperse. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a “very high risk” of disorder, especially after dark on Halloween.

In Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse, demonstrators also clashed with police. In Toulouse, several thousand young people, some in costume, gathered for an unauthorized protest, prompting police to deploy water cannons. In Lyon, officers fired tear gas after demonstrators threw projectiles at them.

The protests brought together a diverse group of demonstrators, including high school students, climate activists, and those angry about the cost of living. Corentin Cabreux, a 21-year-old student, described poor living conditions in a state-run student residence, including damp stains, peeling walls, and infestations of cockroaches and rats.

In Paris, some protesters wore Halloween costumes, including Spider-Man and Frankenstein, while placards read: “No need for tear gas to make our future look bleak.” Hard-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon joined the march, criticizing the government for “taking an increasingly authoritarian turn.”

The protests come amid a tense political climate, with presidential elections less than six months away and far-right leader Marine Le Pen leading in polls. The movement has broadened its demands to include civil liberties and the right to protest, following a security crackdown and injuries to demonstrators.

To prevent unrest, police rerouted Paris marches to the city’s edge and imposed curfews. A 9 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors was imposed near the Champs-Élysées. A Paris court suspended an earlier curfew on minors, calling it an illegal infringement.

Shopkeepers and business owners expressed concern, with some barricading their stores. Alain Di Crescenzo, president of France’s chamber of commerce, said business owners were worried, saying, “Shopkeepers can’t wait for Saturday to be over.”

The protests began as a student-led movement over neglected schools and unfair university admissions but have since drawn broader support from unions and citizens. Student protesters said they were denied permission to march through central Paris and vowed to stage new blockades of schools and universities next week.

Youth-led demonstrations have also been reported in Germany and Italy, showing a broader trend of public discontent across Europe.