France Deploys 70,000 Police as Paris Braces for NFL Game Amid Nationwide Protests
France mobilized an unprecedented security operation on Saturday, deploying 70,000 police and gendarmes across the country as unions staged a major nationwide day of action. The massive show of force comes as Paris prepares to host an NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers, heightening tensions in a city already on edge. Authorities have authorized only one union demonstration in Paris on Saturday, rejecting requests for rallies from France’s main student union, UNEF, and the Yellow Vest movement, an anti-establishment force that first emerged in 2018. The decision underscores the government’s determination to maintain order while allowing peaceful protest.nnIn anticipation of potential unrest, major cultural institutions including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Grand Palais will remain closed for the entire day, along with more than 20 other cultural sites. Additionally, 24 metro stations across Paris will be shut starting at 9 a.m., severely disrupting transportation. Security forces will have armoured vehicles and water cannon vehicles at their disposal, and curfews imposed in some sensitive areas this past week will remain in force. The measures reflect the high alert level as authorities seek to prevent a repeat of the violent clashes seen in other French cities. In Turin on Saturday, protests turned violent well into the evening, with demonstrators clashing with law enforcement.nnThe security concerns have also impacted the sports calendar. Paris Saint-Germain’s home Ligue 1 match against Olympique Lyonnais has been postponed from Sunday to Monday over safety worries. The decision to reschedule one of French football’s biggest fixtures highlights the scale of the disruption. Meanwhile, NFL fans have been warned by analyst Mike Florio, who issued a stark message: “It’s not safe for NFL fans to be in Paris.” His warning, posted ahead of the Saints-Steelers game, adds to the unease surrounding the event, which is part of the NFL’s international series.nnAs the day unfolds, the French government faces a delicate balancing act between ensuring security for a high-profile international sporting event and respecting the right to protest. The deployment of 70,000 officers is one of the largest in recent memory
Shimanta Das 
