France Deploys 70,000 Officers Nationwide for Protests

France is deploying about 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide, backed by helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons, ahead of Saturday's cost-of-living demonstrations. The push follows last weekend's unrest. A Trappes shooting killed one and wounded four, including a 12-year-old girl; a 39-year-old man was arrested. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said a racist motive is possible and stated the investigation is ongoing but this is clearly a terrorist crime. Trappes' mayor said the dead and at least one wounded were of African origin. AFP reported the suspect fired indiscriminately from a vehicle. President Emmanuel Macron canceled a trip to Nigeria and Senegal. He said the general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations in the coming days and that last Saturday saw political and seditious acts by ultra-left groups aiming to bring down the Republic. Nuñez said authorities will be extremely vigilant, extremely firm, and will let absolutely nothing pass. Police approved one union march in Paris and rejected UNEF and Yellow Vest permits; UNEF plans to proceed anyway, per Reuters. Fabian Vahemelryck of Alliance Police Nationale accused leaders of excusing the inexcusable, justifying violence and preferring to overwrite police officers rather than condemn those who attack them. The Louvre and other major museums will close; Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend program.