The essentials
An estimated 11,000 to 26,000 people joined the Orléans counter-demonstration, which ended without major disorder.
An estimated 11,000 to 26,000 people joined a counter-demonstration against racism and fascism in Orléans, Loiret, on 24 October, according to reporting. The protest was held during the National Rally's congress in the city.
Political and union leaders took part in the counter-demonstration, according to reporting. One report attributes the lower figure of 11,000 to the prefecture's count, while the range as a whole reflects the estimates available so far.
The sources do not explain the methods behind the range or whether the lower and upper figures come from the same counting method. The protest concluded without major disorder, according to reporting. Authorities had mobilised 3,000 police officers to secure the event.
Each figure rests on a single report, so the turnout should be read as provisional.
Other ways to read this story.
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Turnout Estimates Range From 11,000 to 26,000 Against Earlier Projections
From a turnout perspective, the gap between the lowest and highest estimates is the central detail. Earlier reporting had projected 20,000 to 30,000 counter-protesters, and the lower estimate falls well short of that figure. Whether the 11,000 count covers the full day or a single moment is not stated, so the comparison depends on which estimate is used.
Counter-Protest Ends Without Major Disorder Under 3,000 Officers
From a public order perspective, the key outcome is that the gathering concluded without major disorder, with 3,000 police officers deployed to secure the event. Violence and looting were reported elsewhere in France on 17 October, which makes the Orléans outcome a notable point of comparison. The sources do not describe the policing methods used or whether any incidents, arrests or injuries occurred.