PNN – Despite a heavy police presence and extensive restrictions, people in France took to the streets again today (Saturday).
According to the report of Pakistan News Network citing the publication Die Zeit, the French people have once again taken to the streets (Saturday) to protest the worsening economic situation—this, even as demonstrations have been banned or restricted in many cities.
In Lyon, police once again used tear gas against protesters.
Thus, about a week after violent unrest, people across France have once again taken to the streets. The “Yellow Vests” have planned over 700 actions—including 500 demonstrations—for Saturday. According to a map published on their website, these actions are set to take place at locations such as gas stations, oil depots, train stations, ports, and bridges.
Amidst intense tensions, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that approximately 70,000 security personnel have been deployed across the country.
According to him, helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons are also being used against protesters. He emphasized that strict conditions are being imposed on any authorized demonstrations.
“We must react very quickly,” he said. It is going to be a long day.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also described the threat level as remaining high as of Friday evening.
Last weekend, widespread unrest broke out in France, coinciding with demonstrations against the high cost of living and shortcomings in the education system. In response, nighttime curfews were imposed in several major cities.
For today in Paris, the French capital, only one protest march was granted a permit. There was disagreement over the route until the very last moment, and ultimately, the route was shortened.
Major French Museums Close
Several museums—including the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Picasso Museum, and the Grand Palais (which is currently hosting a major Cézanne exhibition)—remained closed due to fears of further violence and vandalism. The Art Basel Paris fair also cancelled its weekend program.
Many retailers in Paris kept their shops closed and boarded up their windows.
Following the unrest last weekend, Paris police chief Patrice Faure had urged business owners to hire private security guards. He later clarified that protecting business owners and their shops is the responsibility of the state.
A trade union demonstration has also been planned for Strasbourg. In Marseille, only one union-organized gathering has been authorized.
As reported by the newspaper Le Figaro, the routes for these protests have been set to avoid the city center.
Authorities in Lyon have banned demonstrations in the city center. Nevertheless, about 150 people gathered on the edge of the restricted zone, where police dispersed them using tear gas.
Other cities have also been affected by bans on demonstrations, including Nancy, Metz, Besançon, Belfort, Rouen, Le Havre, Toulon, and Limoges—the latter being the site where the town hall was set on fire on October 17.
Growing Criticism over the Imposition of Sweeping Restrictions on Protesters
These restrictions have drawn widespread criticism.
Amnesty International has condemned these measures, describing them as a move toward authoritarian practices. The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights has also called for respect for the right to protest.
The situation in Orléans is also tense, where more than 10,000 people protested against a conference held by the right-wing Populist Party, the National Rally (RN).
Around 50 political parties, trade unions, and associations had called for the demonstration. The protest was also directed against an attack—suspected to be racially motivated—that took place the previous day on a street in the greater Paris region, in which one person was shot and killed.
Authorities in Orléans, in the Loiret department, reported approximately 11,000 demonstrators as of midday today, while organizers claimed that 26,000 people took part in the protests. Officials fear violent clashes on the fringes of the demonstrations.
A nighttime curfew has been imposed for youths under the age of 15. This measure applies citywide from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM.