French authorities detained 123 people after mass demonstrations across the country, Justice Minister Gerald Darmanen said. “123 people are now in custody, either by pre-trial detention or by court order,” the minister said in an interview with Europe 1 radio station and CNews channel. In France, a wave of protests erupted in mid-September when high school students took to the streets in the suburbs of Paris, demanding that school buildings be tidied up. Later, citizens dissatisfied with the price hikes joined them, and the demonstrations gradually spread to other regions of the country. The largest was the nationwide march of October 17, which escalated into clashes and looting. Accordingto the Interior Ministry, about 550,000 people took to the streets. Using the clutter of the demonstrations, looters smashed windows and looted shops, including luxury brand boutiques.