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France has banned protests in Marseille and Lyon over the weekend and extended a partial curfew in parts of Paris until Monday amid fears of renewed unrest following last week’s demonstrations and riots.
The Louvre, Orsay and Picasso museums in Paris will also remain closed on Saturday amid concerns over further protests.
Last week, large demonstrations swept across France over the rising cost of living and conditions in schools. However, the movement’s original demands were overshadowed by riots, looting and vandalism that damaged businesses and historic buildings.
The US State Department and the US Embassy in Paris have issued a travel warning for American citizens ahead of Saturday’s planned demonstrations, urging them to avoid areas affected by protests and unrest, crowded places and locations with a heavy police presence.
In a statement on Thursday, the embassy warned that violence and unrest had recently occurred in France and could continue. French authorities have announced measures to prevent unauthorised demonstrations, while rallies organised by groups such as trade unions may be permitted.
President Emmanuel Macron said only authorised trade union demonstrations would be allowed on Saturday in areas where protests have not been completely banned. He added that demonstrations organised by other groups would be prohibited where possible.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police deployment would be increased by 20% compared with last week. The decision followed criticism that the government had failed to anticipate the scale of the unrest.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said on Thursday that 217 people had been sentenced to prison following expedited proceedings over last week’s violence. He said around 2,700 people had been arrested nationwide and more than 1,000 brought before courts. The number of convictions could rise further.
According to Le Figaro, Darmanin said half of those detained had no previous criminal record.
Paris police said the curfew would remain in force until Monday in the Place de la République area, where demonstrators gathered last week, and around the Les Halles shopping district. Movement in both areas will be restricted from 11pm to 6am local time.
Marseille, one of the cities hardest hit by last week’s violence, will suspend public transport on Saturday to prevent a recurrence of the unrest. More than 500 businesses were reportedly damaged there.
Authorities in several other cities and regions, including Rouen, Nice, Toulon and Grenoble, have also announced curfews or restrictions on gatherings and the movement of young people.
Macron met intelligence officials and ministers on Thursday to discuss security arrangements ahead of Saturday’s demonstrations. He accused radical left-wing groups of organising what he described as political and potentially seditious activities aimed at undermining the republic.
Last week’s demonstrations drew around 550,000 people nationwide on October 17, according to the report, amid anger over rising fuel prices and the cost of living. Trade unions, the Yellow Vests movement and student groups supported rallies in Paris and other major cities.
Although most demonstrations were peaceful, violence, looting and destruction marred the protests. In Lyon, demonstrators set fire to the city’s tourism office.
