French protests continue as police arrest 135

French police have detained 135 people as hundreds of thousands of people took part in protests across the country against the rising cost of living and bad conditions at school, in a show of strength in the face of insecurity after last weekend’s violence.

70,000 police officers were on the streets across the country to safeguard against a recurrence of the violence, looting and arson that punctuated the protests on Oct. 17, Reuters reported.

From an initial wave of student protests over cuts to education funding and shortages of teachers and nurses, the unrest has morphed into a broader movement for higher wages, better public services and relief from the cost-of-living crisis.

Over 500,000 people took to the streets across France last weekend, the Interior Ministry said. Police detained a minimum of 1,800 people after some protests descended into violence, groups of masked individuals set fire to public buildings and commercial premises.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told officers to “get into the face of provocateurs and looters.” Police also limited rallies in several cities and diverted a planned march in Paris from the city centre because of fears of disorder.

The protests have put a strain on the government of President Emmanuel Macron, which is under mounting strain from public anger at the rising cost of living and public services.

Officials said security forces would remain in place as protests persisted throughout the country.