Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, announced on Thursday that protests organized by groups without legal authorization will be banned in the coming days. This decision was made following recent unrest and violence that arose from protests over the education system and the cost of living.
Reasons for the Ban on Protests
Macron stated: "Last Saturday, we witnessed political and provocative actions from far-left groups aimed at overthrowing the Republic." These remarks were made after a special security meeting at the Élysée Palace with security officials and senior ministers. He also emphasized that this ban is intended to protect urban centers, businesses, and public buildings.
Security Measures and Upcoming Gatherings
In the wake of recent unrest, several cities in France have imposed restrictions on nighttime hours. Planned protests for Thursday in Paris, Lyon, Lille, and Grenoble have been banned. Officials also announced plans for a major security operation next weekend to prevent a recurrence of recent violence.
Student groups and unions have stated that they will continue their efforts to hold protests. The main student union in France, UNEF, has called for gatherings on Saturday. Additionally, the Yellow Vests movement, known for its protests over fuel prices in 2018 and 2019, has proposed plans for a march in central Paris.
The protests, which began in September at a school near Paris due to budget cuts in the education system, have spread to other suburbs of Paris and then to other cities in France. These protests are now also addressing issues related to skyrocketing living costs and poor public services.
On October 17, these protests turned into the worst urban unrest in recent years, with protesters attacking police with masks, looting stores, and setting vehicles and buildings on fire. Reports indicate that two people have been arrested for an arson attack on a 19th-century town hall in Limoges.
Across France, around 2,700 people were arrested last weekend, and hundreds of protesters, police, and firefighters were injured. Gérald Darmanin, the French Minister of Justice, announced that courts have imprisoned 217 people in expedited trials related to the riots, adding that this number continues to rise.
Macron also announced that talks between officials, student groups, unions, and employers will be held on Monday, emphasizing that discussions about the legitimate demands of protesters must continue.
