France Bans Protests in Parts of Four Cities as Macron Blames 'Ultra-Left'
French authorities have banned demonstrations planned for Thursday in parts of Paris, Lyon, Lille and Grenoble, as President Emmanuel Macron blamed the weekend's unrest on "seditious acts" by "ultra-left" groups. Macron said on Thursday that these groups were trying to "bring down the Republic," according to Al Jazeera.
In Paris, the Police Prefecture banned protests in key areas until 8pm local time (18:00 GMT). The zone covers streets near the Elysee Palace, the presidential residence, both houses of parliament, the city's main train stations, and parts of the city centre where looting took place over the weekend. A police source told AFP that the ban was necessary because organisers had been unable to prevent violence and vandalism.
The measures follow a Saturday of nationwide protests. More than half a million people gathered across France, with students demanding better conditions in schools and other groups denouncing high living costs. Riots broke out in several areas, and at least 2,500 people were arrested, according to Al Jazeera.
Macron said France would ban all "illegitimate" protests in the coming days. Demonstrations approved for organised groups such as unions would instead have to follow alternative routes outside city centres. He also said he would convene France's defence council, the body that brings together senior ministers and security officials, on Friday to decide further steps.
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu met union representatives on Wednesday and said a "massive" security operation was planned for Saturday to prevent a repeat of the violence. Macron had vowed on Wednesday to stop a repeat of last weekend's violence at protests planned in the coming days, as Reuters reported. On Thursday morning, Macron met intelligence services, Lecornu and ministers to review what had gone wrong over the weekend and to prepare for the upcoming protests.
Union representatives said their meeting with Lecornu produced no concrete proposals. They said they are focusing on a day of action scheduled for November 5.
Separately, officials have banned "all protests" in Lyon on Saturday, ahead of nationwide demonstrations planned for that day, as The Guardian reported.
