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Macron Bans Unauthorized Protests Amid Violence
· Confirmed
In Short: French President Emmanuel Macron announced a ban on unauthorized protests in key parts of Paris and other major cities, citing concerns over violence and vandalism during recent demonstrations.
On Thursday, the Paris Police Prefecture announced that protests would be banned in key parts of the city until 8pm (18:00 GMT). This ban was extended to other cities like Lyon, Lille, and Grenoble, with local authorities prohibiting protests planned for the same day.
Macron blamed the recent riots on what he called 'seditious acts' by 'ultra-left' groups, whom he accused of trying to 'bring down the Republic.' He also said that France would ban all 'illegitimate' protests in the coming days, while approved demonstrations led by organized groups like unions would be required to take alternative routes outside city centers.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who met union representatives on Wednesday, said a 'massive' security operation was planned for Saturday to prevent a repeat of the violence by small groups of rioters that had exposed shortcomings in security measures.
The protests originally began four weeks ago as a student-led movement, demanding better education conditions. However, they have since merged with grievances over the fuel crisis exacerbated by the war in Iran, actions by firefighters’ unions, and over two weeks of demonstrations by high school students over school conditions.
French authorities have barred demonstrations in several of the country’s largest cities, as President Emmanuel Macron blamed far-left groups for stoking violence during weekend protests.
In a televised address to the nation on Sunday, Macron said, “Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.”
The National Police Inspectorate General (IGPN), the internal police oversight body, is currently investigating 24 incidents regarding the security forces’ handling of the student protests.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Tuesday vowed a 'massive' police presence at fresh protests called for the coming weekend, as he faced criticism over the handling of recent street violence.
Police have arrested 6,877 individuals, the vast majority of whom are minors. The public prosecutor investigating the Argenteuil case stated that, according to the police account, the injured student 'appears to be' one of two youths who had launched fireworks at officers, prompting police to return fire with rubber bullets.
What this adds
French authorities have taken a hard stance against unauthorized protests, banning them in several major cities and requiring approved demonstrations to take alternative routes outside city centers.
The protests have merged various grievances, including the fuel crisis exacerbated by the war in Iran, actions by firefighters’ unions, and over two weeks of demonstrations by high school students over school conditions.
The IGPN is currently investigating 24 incidents regarding the security forces’ handling of the student protests, indicating a need for internal police oversight.
Background
Macron appealed for calm on Sunday, a day after France suffered one of its worst days of unrest in years, with thousands arrested and shops looted or damaged after protests over high prices and declining public services.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a ban on unauthorized protests in key parts of Paris and other major cities, citing concerns over violence and vandalism during recent demonstrations.
What's confirmed
- In a televised address to the nation on Sunday, Macron said, “Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,”.
- The French president said some leaders were influenced by fake videos generated by artificial intelligence about the unrest President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticised world leaders for making “stupid” comments about the rioting on the sidelines of protests in France, in an apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
What's still developing
- Thursday’s planned protests were seen as a prelude to a large demonstration on Saturday, when activists from the “yellow vest” movement, whose demonstrations over fuel prices shook France in 2018 and 2019, are expected to join.
- A police source told the AFP news agency the ban was necessary due to organisers’ “inability to prevent violence and vandalism”.
- France is bracing for a day of widespread mass mobilisation on Saturday, October 17, as public anger mounts over a convergence of soaring living costs and allegations of severe police violence against high school students.
- The movement marks the latest expression of deep public dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The date was initially set by a small number of groups identifying with the “Yellow Vests” movement to protest living conditions as fuel prices approach record highs.
- Macron made the remarks as thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Thursday.
- With just months to go before elections to replace President Emmanuel Macron, French authorities had been hoping that the protests would start to ease ahead of half-term holidays to start at the end of the week.
- Without naming them, he said they were campaigning for forthcoming elections "at France's expense" with their comments on the violence, which erupted on the fringe of cost-of-living protests.
- The article, written by Vincent Trémolet de Villers for the conservative newspaper Le Figaro and published Sunday afternoon local time, blamed years of political failures for contributing to the unrest and took particular aim at President Emmanuel Macron.
- Protesters included students, union groups and supporters of the “yellow vests” movement, which protested against inflation back in 2018, at the start of Macron’s presidency.
- Macron said on X late Saturday: "Those who carried out vandalism, attacked administrative offices or businesses, or carried out looting -- even in our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished."
- PARIS: The student protest movement that has spread across France is now “out of control,” the Paris police chief said on Saturday, urging demonstrators to return to peaceful action and warning that authorities would respond firmly to violence and vandalism.