France secures national day with 130,000 police officers

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced extraordinary precautions to ensure security in Paris yesterday. On Thursday and Friday evening alone, 45,000 officers are said to be on duty. There are also special units such as helicopters, drones and armored vehicles. Bus and tram services will stop at 10 p.m. in all metropolitan areas. S-Bahn and Métro in Paris remain in operation.

Fear of new unrest

After a police officer fatally shot a youth during a traffic check near Paris a good two weeks ago, there had been serious unrest in France for days. Officials were attacked with firecrackers and public buildings such as police stations and schools were set on fire. Thousands of cars burned out. The unrest has died down, but the concern is that it will flare up again on the national holiday this Friday.