Paris is prolonging targeted movement restrictions and major cities are banning demonstrations outright as France prepares for another weekend of heightened security. The emergency measures follow widespread rioting and looting that marred large-scale demonstrations across the country over the previous weekend.
Authorities in the French capital announced that partial curfews affecting the Place de la République and the Les Halles district will remain in place through Monday. The restrictions prohibit pedestrian and vehicle traffic in those zones from late evening until early morning. In addition, several prominent cultural institutions, including the Louvre, the Orsay museum, and the Picasso museum, will close their doors on Saturday as a precautionary step.
Other major urban centers are taking even stricter measures to prevent further public disorder. Marseille and Lyon have implemented absolute prohibitions on all weekend protests. To reinforce the ban in Marseille, which suffered extensive property damage and saw hundreds of businesses targeted during the previous weekend's unrest, public transit systems will be halted on Saturday.
The nationwide unrest initially stemmed from demonstrations over escalating living costs and grievances surrounding educational facilities, which drew hundreds of thousands of participants. While the initial gatherings were largely peaceful, subsequent riots resulted in significant destruction to commercial properties and historic structures. Government officials reported that thousands of individuals have been arrested since the weekend, with hundreds receiving immediate prison sentences through accelerated judicial proceedings.
President Emmanuel Macron held emergency consultations with security chiefs and cabinet members to coordinate a response to the upcoming demonstrations. Officials stated that public gatherings will generally be prohibited unless officially sponsored and managed by established labor unions, which must coordinate approved routes with local authorities. Any independent marches that fail to meet these criteria will be blocked.
The administration has pledged a significant increase in law enforcement personnel on the ground compared to the previous weekend, following criticism that security forces were initially overwhelmed by the scale of the violence. Curfews and localized restrictions have also been ordered in various other municipalities, including Nice, Toulon, Rouen, and Grenoble, as the government attempts to restore order ahead of the weekend.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
