ARMORED GENDARMERIE VEHICLES ON STREETS OF PARIS

PARIS, OCTOBER 24 /SRNA/ - Armored vehicles belonging to the French Gendarmerie appeared on the streets of Paris ahead of planned mass demonstrations, a TASS correspondent reported.

Several armored vehicles were stationed near the Élysée Palace, where the security perimeter had been expanded beyond its usual size. Law enforcement officers blocked access to streets near the French president’s residence using vans and metal barriers.

Additional armored vehicles, along with large numbers of police officers and gendarmes, have been deployed near the National Assembly.

Numerous police and gendarmerie vehicles are also parked along streets near major tourist attractions, including the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and various other locations across the city.

Mass demonstrations involving trade unions and student movements are expected in Paris today.

The Paris police prefecture rejected the route requested by the organizers, from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation, and instead approved a march on the outskirts of the city, from Porte d’Italie metro station to Porte de Vincennes metro station.

Following the riots and looting that marred last Saturday’s demonstrations, on October 17, the French Interior Ministry pledged to significantly strengthen security measures, increasing the number of police officers and gendarmes deployed to maintain public order from 10,000 to 70,000.

Up to 500,000 people are expected to take part in protests across France today.