France's second Saturday of nationwide protests, called Act II, was smaller and mostly calmer than the week before, according to Connexion France, the BBC and 20 Minutes.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said about 35,000 people had gathered across the country by 1 in the afternoon, down from about 60,000 at the same point on October 17, Connexion France reported. He also reported 135 arrests by that hour. About 70,000 police and gendarmes were on duty, Connexion France said. AP via CBS News also attributed the 135 arrests to Nunez and said officers had seized items such as metal balls and fireworks.

Paris police said 110,000 people marched on the capital's only authorized route, from Porte d'Italie toward Porte de Vincennes, the BBC and 20 Minutes reported. The city was mostly calm, Paris police said, per the BBC.

Police used tear gas in Lyon, Marseille and Clermont-Ferrand, the BBC and AP via CBS News reported. Protesters built barricades in Marseille and Bordeaux, the BBC said. Connexion France said Yellow Vest groups called new protests for October 31. Unions are also preparing a November 5 day of action, Connexion France reported.

The CGT union put nationwide turnout far higher, at 800,000, 20 Minutes reported. That organizer figure sits well above the Interior Ministry's early afternoon count. Final evening tallies from the ministry were still to come when the early reports filed. Nunez said most arrests came from checks on people and gear, not from large street battles, Connexion France reported. He said the mood was less charged than the prior Saturday.

What we know: Nunez reported about 35,000 marchers and 135 arrests by early afternoon, while Paris police counted 110,000 on the capital march.
What we don't: The final nationwide tally once evening counts are in, and whether October 31 and November 5 actions draw larger crowds.