French police are on high alert for a flare-up in “yellow vest” protests Saturday after pledges of prodigal donations to restore Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral generated a wave of resentment.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner says more than 60,000 police officers and gendarmes are deployed to confront protesters taking to the streets for the 23rd straight Saturday.
Domestic intelligence services have informed him of a potential return of “rioters” intent on wreaking havoc in Paris and several other cities in a repeat of violent protests staged last month, he said.
The catastrophic fire at Notre Dame on Monday prompted rich families and corporations to pledge around $1.13 billion for its reconstruction, with President Emmanuel Macon promising to rebuild it in five years.
Those pledges angered many protesters, who have expressed disgust at the fact that their five-month old movement has not received the same generous donations by France’s elite.
“It took him less than 24 hours to speak about the fire, while he made us wait for three weeks before addressing our issues,” said Ingrid Levavasseur, one of the leaders of the protest movement, referring to Macron.