“Act II” on October 24: What should we expect in Paris this Saturday?

The Yellow Vests are calling for the movement to continue across France with an “Act II” planned for October 24, 2026. The CGT, for its part, has announced that it will once again take to the streets “to accompany” and “protect” those who wish to demonstrate this Saturday. The march route, Operation Sentinelle soldiers deployed, stepped-up preventive measures in public spaces... What should people expect in Paris? Here’s what you need to know.

After a day of mobilization marked by major protests and clashes in several cities on Saturday, the Yellow Vests are set to take to the streets again this Saturday, October 24, 2026. The coordination behind the October 17 movement officially announced, on Monday, October 19, a new call to protest, described as an Act II.

As of this writing, more than 540 mobilizations are listed on an interactive map published by the organizers, including calls to gather on October 24 in Paris, notably at Place de la Bastille and Place de la République. However, whether they will actually take place and under what arrangements remains to be clarified.

Why are the Yellow Vests urging a demonstration on October 24?

The October 24 protests echo the Saturday demonstrations on October 17, held in particular against soaring living costs and the erosion of purchasing power. According to figures released after that first day, around 550,000 people took to the streets across France, as reported by the Interior Ministry, versus the 800,000 claimed by organizers.

The Yellow Vests' demands center on prices, wages, public services and democracy. In its statement issued for October 24, the Yellow Vests Coordination also calls for President Emmanuel Macron's resignation, while criticizing the authorities' response to earlier protests.

What route will the Paris protest take?

On Wednesday, October 21, on France 2, Benjamin Ball, a coordinator of the Yellow Vests, said that the day of mobilization planned for Saturday would “go ahead.” “This will be a large-scale day of action. All sectors are starting to call for it. I don’t think the government understands the extent of this anger,” he added.

Regarding the route, Benjamin Ball said he had submitted a notice of demonstration in Paris to the Police Prefecture, proposing a route between Bastille and Opéra. The previous day, at the National Assembly, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said he was considering the possibility of “banning demonstrations that have not been declared (…) and that could pose a threat to public order, and even banning demonstrations that have been declared if the organizer or stewards do not give us reason to believe that the demonstration will not get out of hand.”

Since then, the Paris Police Prefecture has confirmed that a demonstration can indeed go ahead in Paris this Saturday, October 24, 2026, approving the route proposed by the CGT: the route between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. However, the Paris Police Prefecture plans to issue an order banning the route sought by the Yellow Vests, between Place de l’Opéra and Bastille. Following this decision, the Yellow Vests coordination group announced that it would join the demonstration declared by the CGT between Bastille and Nation.

Why will soldiers from Operation Sentinelle be deployed?

Furthermore, as several outlets report, including BFMTV, the Minister of the Interior announced that he will deploy this Saturday the soldiers of the Sentinelle operation. The troops will be "in substitution for the internal security forces mainly on static security missions" in order to "free up police and gendarmes to carry out public-order duties."

Military deployment in place on October 24: which sensitive locations in Paris could be affected?
With a new day of protests planned this Saturday, October 24, in Paris, the Interior Minister announced the deployment of soldiers from Operation Sentinelle. Arc de Triomphe, embassies... which sites could be affected by this military deployment? Elements of an answer. [Read more]

Enhanced preventive measures in public spaces

On its website, the City of Paris is urging residents to exercise the utmost vigilance. The City Hall is asking residents and business owners to bring in their bins and bicycles, as well as terraces and outdoor furniture, starting at noon this Saturday.

"Following the violence, looting and damage over the past weekend, several preventive measures are being put in place in public spaces ahead of Saturday, October 24, including a stepped-up presence of municipal staff," the City of Paris announced.

Paris City Hall says it has been mobilizing its services since Thursday, October 22, "to clear public spaces of equipment and materials that could be used to cause damage, particularly barriers and movable components from construction sites." "This mobilization also includes the systematic emptying of street bins, the removal of glass recycling containers and above-ground wheeled bins, as well as the immediate collection of bulky waste and items dumped on public roads," the City says.

In addition, special collection rounds will be organized to remove bulky or flammable items, while waste containers left in public spaces “will also be removed.”

October 24 mobilization in Paris: the city’s guidance as it calls for the utmost vigilance
Following the violence on October 17, the City of Paris is urging residents and business owners to remain vigilant ahead of the next day of demonstrations scheduled for October 24, 2026. Bins, bicycles, outdoor seating: several precautions are recommended this Saturday from noon onward. [Read more]

Why could the October 17 protests drag on?

October 17 marked a new milestone in the social protests, with participants including the Yellow Vests, high school students, university students, unions, and activists from a variety of movements.

But the demonstrations were also marred by clashes, vandalism, looting, and a large number of arrests. According to official figures from the Ministry of the Interior, more than 2,000 people were taken into custody. The Paris Police Prefecture, for its part, announced the arrest of 855 individuals in the capital.

In this context, the new call for October 24 comes as organizers strive to keep up the momentum of the mobilization. It remains to be seen whether this second day will attract as many participants as the previous one. The real scale of the turnout will depend, in particular, on local outreach, the involvement of various collectives, and any restrictions that may be imposed by the prefectures.

Are there any additional protests planned after October 24?

The Yellow Vests coordination is already outlining several steps to keep the movement going. A fresh call is issued for Saturday, October 31, 2026, ahead of the national day of strikes and protests scheduled for Thursday, November 5.

This latest mobilization, backed by the CFDT, CGT, Force Ouvrière, Unsa and FSU, centers on wages, public services, employment and industry, according to a statement from the CFDT.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.