France plans localized curfews after nationwide protests turn violent
publishers 35articles 43first reported 17 Oct, 16:26 UTCdeveloping since 17 Oct · 11 editions
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu instructed regional authorities on Monday to impose limited, localized curfews following a weekend of rioting, looting and arson during nationwide protests over living costs and conditions in schools.
At least 2,400 people were arrested after violence erupted on Saturday and continued into Sunday in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities. Authorities estimated that about 550,000 people joined Saturday’s demonstrations, while organizers put attendance at 800,000. Police used tear gas and water cannon as groups attacked public buildings and businesses. Limoges’ 19th-century city hall was largely destroyed by fire.
The government said at least 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted. France’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry estimated losses at hundreds of millions of euros, while the government promised financial assistance and furlough support for affected businesses.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez acknowledged that authorities had “lost control” in some major cities. He offered his resignation on Sunday, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected it, citing the need for continuity in law-enforcement command. Macron ordered a review of planning and intelligence failures, called for new policing tactics and promised transparency about the police response.
Macron condemned the violence while distinguishing it from protesters’ “legitimate demands.” Authorities and government officials blamed much of the disorder on far-left activists and opportunistic looters. A new, unauthorized gathering in Paris’s Place de la République on Sunday led to further clashes, fires and looting. Marseille banned demonstrations and other gatherings for part of Monday.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 49 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 35
- Source articles
- 43
- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 49 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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