France’s court bans central Paris union march

Paris, Oct 31 (EFE).- France’s Council of State on Saturday upheld the government’s ban on a trade union demonstration in central Paris, ruling in favor of authorities who cited the risk of serious public disorder amid a third consecutive weekend of protests.

The unions had planned to march from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation, in what was expected to be the main demonstration in the capital against the rising cost of living and the deterioration of public services.

The Paris Police Prefecture had initially rejected the proposed route and suggested an alternative between Porte de Charenton, in the south, and Porte de Bagnolet, in the east, bypassing parts of the city center and major commercial areas.

An administrative court overturned that decision on Friday.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez immediately appealed to the Council of State, arguing that Saturday remained a high-risk day for looting and vandalism.

The country’s highest administrative court ultimately ruled in favor of the government, blocking the planned march through central Paris.

The student union FAGE, one of the organizers, condemned the decision as «a new obstacle to the right to protest» and said trade union organizations would meet to decide how to proceed with the mobilization.

The «yellow vest» movement had also called for a march from Bastille to Place de la Concorde, near the Champs-Élysées, the Élysée Palace, and the National Assembly, passing through the busy commercial district around Opéra.

Beyond the demonstrations and the risk of clashes, authorities are concerned about calls circulating on social media, allegedly promoted by far-left groups and other radicalized collectives, urging people to stage riots, loot shops, and exploit Halloween celebrations to organize violent gatherings, including at night.

In response, the Paris Police Prefecture has imposed restrictions from Friday night through the weekend around Place de la République and the Châtelet-Les Halles commercial district, where widespread looting took place on Oct. 17 and 18.

Minors will also be prohibited from circulating after 9 p.m. in several districts of the capital unless accompanied by at least one legal guardian.

The government has ordered an exceptional security operation involving 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide, supported by mobile units, armored vehicles, drones and helicopters.

The operation will also include checks on roads, at stations and across railway networks to detect weapons and prevent potential acts of violence. EFE

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