Update 2023-02-07 (4): According to reports, the government has estimated that around 757,000 people participated in protests across the country on Tuesday (7 February). It has been reported that around 400,000 people participated in protests in Paris alone. However, the CGT Union has stated that as many as two million people participated in protests countrywide. Violent clashes between protesters and security forces were also reported in Paris and Rennes. Police officers reportedly used tear gas against protesters in these areas. At least 17 people were arrested in Paris during the demonstrations.
Update 2023-02-07 (3): According to reports, over 455,000 demonstrators participated in protests in Besançon, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, and Poitiers, and 15,000 people reportedly participated in protests in Marseilles as well on Tuesday (7 February). A protest held by the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions is expected to disrupt traffic in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris until Wednesday (8 February). During this protest, dozens of tractors will be driven through the city to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Esplanade des Invalides. Drivers are advised to avoid the areas between the southern ring road and the 7th Arrondissement. Several violent incidents were reported in Nantes and Lyon on Tuesday (7 February) as well. In Nantes, police officers used tear gas pellets against demonstrators during clashes. In Lyon, there were reports of buildings being defaced, garbage being burned, demonstrators throwing projectiles at police officers, police officers using water cannons against demonstrators, and a roadblock being constructed at Rue de la Barre between Place Bellecour and Hotel Dieu.
