Macron Moves to Ban 'Illegitimate' Protests as France Confronts Unrest
French authorities have banned or restricted demonstrations in several cities after weekend rioting, as President Macron says only protests by recognised groups will be allowed.
The story in focus
President Emmanuel Macron said France will ban what he called illegitimate demonstrations in the coming days after weekend rioting at cost-of-living protests. Authorities halted marches in several cities, while the Elysée said a defence council would decide further steps on Friday.
- Macron said demonstrations by recognised groups, such as trade unions, may proceed under legal review but routes could change.
- Authorities banned or restricted planned Thursday marches in Lyon, Lille and Grenoble, and halted a Paris student protest that a court later allowed.
- Saturday bans were announced for central Lyon, Nice and Toulon, with a Paris march authorised only if it avoids the city centre.
Restrictions across French cities
French authorities restricted or prohibited demonstrations in several cities after violence broke out on the fringes of weekend cost-of-living protests. The Paris Police Prefecture banned Thursday protests in central areas until 8pm, including near the Elysée Palace, parliament and main train stations, Al Jazeera reported. Marches planned for Thursday in Lyon, Lille and Grenoble were also prohibited. The Guardian reported that a court overturned an initial police ban on a Paris student protest, while marches in Rouen, Le Havre and Toulon were halted. For Saturday, authorities declared bans on all protests in central Lyon, where shops were ransacked and the tourist office set ablaze, with similar bans in Nice and Toulon. A Paris march starting at Place de la Bastille was authorised but barred from the city centre, while a separate student and yellow-vest march was not permitted.
Crackdown response and prosecution figures
Macron blamed the worst violence on what he described as political and seditious acts by ultra far-left groups seeking to bring down the Republic. Speaking after meeting intelligence chiefs and ministers, he said the priority was a return to calm and that he would chair a defence council meeting on Friday to decide further steps. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 174 of the 2,500 people arrested since the weekend had been remanded in custody and more than 900 were being prosecuted. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met political party figures and was due to meet big-city mayors. Union representatives said their meeting with Lecornu produced no concrete proposals and said they were focusing on a day of action planned for 5 November.
What did Macron say about which protests would be allowed?
He said demonstrations by recognised groups such as trade unions would be examined under the law and could have routes changed, while protests by individuals or groups with no legitimate authority would be banned.
Sources & further reading
- Macron bans ‘illegitimate‘ protests in France as he tries to get a grip on unrest ↗The Guardian
- Macron blames ‘seditious’ far left for unrest as France bans some protests ↗Al Jazeera
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