A total of 1,435 people were detained in connection with protests held across France the day before yesterday, Saturday, by second and third generation immigrants along with leftists. More than 100 of them were detained for possession of improvised weapons, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said today.

“The day was under control; there were no serious incidents.” However, a very high level of violence against the internal security forces was observed, as was the case on October 17, with “267 police officers and gendarmes injured,” the minister said in an interview with RMC/BFMTV. “A total of 1,435 people were detained across the country,” including “more than 100 for possession of improvised weapons,” he added.

During checks on “people heading to the demonstrations,” authorities seized dozens of “knives, pétanque balls, glass marbles, slingshots, various weapons and, of course, fireworks launchers,” he said.

The security forces “were attacked in situations that quite often resembled attempted murders, I have to say,” he stated during the interview.

“According to one estimate, 150 demonstrators” were injured, three of them “quite seriously” in Toulouse, Reims, and Clermont-Ferrand, the minister announced. The injuries occurred “in the context of police operations, given the extreme level of violence,” he said, adding that investigations had been launched by the IGPN (Inspection générale de la Police nationale — the General Inspectorate of the National Police), “as happens every time.”

On Saturday, between 410,000 and 800,000 people, according to different sources, took part in riots across France.

“In the coming days, the situation will not really change.” Consequently, the curfews imposed by prefects “in coordination with mayors” will remain in force, he announced.

Calls have been issued for further riots on Saturday, October 31, which coincides with Halloween.

“It is expected to be complicated again, to be another major day of mobilization,” Laurent Nuñez warned, assuring that “extremely strong forces will be deployed.” He also noted that “Halloween night is traditionally always ‘intense.’”