France deploys army and police ahead of weekend protests
Authorities are shifting to more mobile security, widening curfews and restricting protests near government buildings after unrest last week.
The French government is preparing a major security operation for weekend demonstrations after cost-of-living protests last week turned into riots and looting in several cities. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said large numbers of officers will be deployed, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has assigned Sentinelle Operation personnel to take over static guarding so police and gendarmerie can focus on breaking up fast-moving crowds. The government also acknowledged its earlier response was inadequate. In addition, Paris and other cities have begun imposing partial curfews, banning gatherings on the Champs-Élysées and restricting flammable items. Citing data from the French Interior Ministry, Euronews said about 550 thousand people took part in the earlier protests, including 110 thousand in Paris.
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Earlier in this story
- 1 hour agoFrance deploys army and police ahead of weekend protestsreading now
- 5 hours agoLooting spreads as cost-of-living protests rock France
- 7 hours agoFrance imposes local curfews after unrest in many cities
- Oct 19France cost-of-living protests turn violent, 1,200 detained
- Oct 19France riots: 1,200 arrested, 150 police officers injured