France deployed thousands of police officers, armored personnel carriers and water cannon vehicles in Paris on Friday (Feb. 11) to keep out the “freedom convoys” of trucks and cars converging on the country’s capital for a protest against COVID-19 restrictions on Saturday (Feb. 12).
Security checkpoints have been set up at toll points on major entry roads while riot-control barriers were erected across the city center.
Police in Paris on Thursday (Feb. 10) said those participating in the protest could face prison time, hefty fines and have their license suspended.
More than 7,000 officers will be mobilized over the next 72 hours.
French Capital Mobilizes Armored Vehicles & Police en Masse to Face Freedom Convoy
Thousands of officers will be out in force to contain France’s own Freedom Convoy against Covid mandates from Friday evening.
The protesters have continued to move towards Paris, despite a ban on demonstrations and official threats of prison and penalties.