Macron restricts protests after violence in France
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Citizen
Emmanuel Macron announces new bans or restrictions on demonstrations in France following violence, looting and damage on 17 October. The French president is due to convene a defence council on Friday to decide measures concerning nationwide rallies planned for Saturday, Citizen reports.
French authorities have banned or restricted several planned demonstrations following the violence on 17 October, while Emmanuel Macron has announced curfews and other security measures. The French president spoke on Thursday after a meeting with ministers and intelligence officials, Citizen reports.
In Lyon, authorities have banned all demonstrations planned for Saturday. The city saw 200 to 300 shops looted and a tourist office set on fire the previous weekend. Grenoble, Rouen, Le Havre and Toulon have also banned gatherings in their city centres. In Paris, Saturday’s march will be allowed to start from Place de la Bastille, but will not be able to reach the centre, according to the police prefecture.
A student demonstration held in Paris on Thursday nonetheless drew several hundred people after an emergency court overturned a police ban. Student leader Coppelia Moreau denounced a distinction between “good” and “bad” demonstrators and defended the right to protest.
Macron is due to convene a defence council on Friday to determine measures targeting new nationwide demonstrations announced from Saturday. The violence on 17 October erupted on the sidelines of rallies against the rising cost of living, which drew more than 500,000 people. The announcement follows the president’s promise to prevent further violence in France, published on 21 October, and his accusations against the far left, published on 22 October.
