Protests began as early as 6 am in France on September 18. In Marseille, police intervened to disperse groups of protesters, sometimes using tear gas, particularly in a neighborhood near the port. In Paris, at least 300 high school students blocked Lycée Maurice-Ravel in the 20th arrondissement.
"We have had attempted blockades in Paris. Around Paris, bus depots in Aubervilliers, for example, and in Saint-Denis. We have already cleared a number of blockades. Other attempts are underway. They will meet the same fate. We will clear the depots across France," promised outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
Authorities expected up to 900,000 protesters and 250 processions across France. The September 18 turnout comes more than a week after the September 10 "Let's Block Everything" movement, which began on social media and brought between 175,000 people, according to the Interior Ministry, and 250,000 people, according to the CGT union, out on the streets.