French authorities have decided to maintain existing curfews and restrictions on public gatherings as the country braces for another wave of large-scale demonstrations scheduled for Saturday. This decision comes in the wake of significant vandalism and unrest that occurred in several cities earlier this month.
In response to fears of renewed disturbances, Parisian officials imposed bans on protest routes through the city center. Permits for marches are now restricted to areas located outside the central districts. Additionally, a nighttime curfew will be reinstated at specific locations within the heart of the capital. Despite these measures, French media reported that the Administrative Court of Paris ruled to allow a march between Bastille Square and Place de la Nation in the city center. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that the government intends to appeal against this judicial decision.
Nunez emphasized that there would be a heavy security presence on the streets, justifying the move by citing risks to public order and the potential for property damage to businesses. Authorities anticipate that hundreds of thousands of people may participate in these upcoming protests. To manage civil unrest and looting during the previous weekend, 70 thousand police officers were deployed across the nation.
The current wave of dissent began weeks ago when students protested demanding better staffing and equipment for schools. Since mid-October, other groups have joined the demonstrations, primarily objecting to the rising cost of living. Following violent riots that accompanied gatherings on October 17, police managed to largely prevent a recurrence of violence during the last weekend.
