Paris (France), 24 Oct. (LaPresse/AP) – Paris’s main museums have remained closed and the authorities have deployed a large police contingent ahead of a new wave of protests scheduled for today across France, in the hope of preventing a repeat of last week’s violent unrest, which shook the country. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that up to 70,000 officers will be deployed across the country, supported by helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons. Massive turnout is expected once again, following last week’s demonstrations in which over half a million people took to the streets. Major museums, including the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée Picasso and the Grand Palais – where a major exhibition dedicated to Cézanne is currently on display – have remained closed. Art Basel, one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art fairs, opened to the public on Friday, but only for that one day. The risk of unrest prompted the organisers to cancel the weekend programme.
France: fears over another day of protests; over 70,000 police officers deployed
Paris (France), 24 Oct. (LaPresse/AP) – Paris’s main museums have remained closed and the authorities have deployed a large police contingent ahead of a new wave of protests scheduled for today across France, in the hope of preventing a repeat of last week’s violent unrest, which shook the country. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that up to 70,000 officers will be deployed across the country, supported by helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons. Massive turnout is expected once again, following last week’s demonstrations in which over half a million people took to the streets. Major museums, including the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée Picasso and the Grand Palais – where a major exhibition dedicated to Cézanne is currently on display – have remained closed. Art Basel, one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art fairs, opened to the public on Friday, but only for that one day. The risk of unrest prompted the organisers to cancel the weekend programme.