Clashes erupt at Halloween protests across France as police use tear gas and an officer is hit by a Molotov cocktail

Summary

Protesters across France took to the streets on Halloween for the third weekend of demonstrations over soaring living costs, under heavy security. The New York Times reported that more than 300,000 people took part, some wearing costumes, and that the day began festively before clashes erupted again and the demonstrations ended in violence. The Straits Times reported that thousands took part, that marches were largely peaceful apart from isolated clashes, that an officer was hit by a Molotov cocktail, and that authorities warned of possible further violence overnight; it said the interior ministry put nationwide turnout at around 15,000. Al Jazeera reported that police fired tear gas to disperse protesters as the demonstrations entered a third week. The outlets' turnout figures differ widely, and the articles do not reconcile them.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   31 Oct 2026, 15:57 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that thousands took to France's streets on Halloween, some in costumes, under heavy security, with isolated clashes after peaceful marches, an officer hit by a Molotov cocktail, authorities warning of possible further violence overnight, and the interior ministry putting nationwide turnout at around 15,000.

2. New York Times

   31 Oct 2026, 21:50 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that more than 300,000 people took to the streets of France, some wearing Halloween costumes, and that clashes erupted again after a festive start to the day of protest before the demonstrations ended in violence.

3. Al Jazeera

   1 Nov 2026, 04:31 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that police used tear gas to disperse protesters as demonstrations entered a third week in France.