France Imposes Local Curfews for a Second Night: Paris Curfew From 11 p.m. Tuesday Around Place de la République as Authorities Promise a Massive Police Presence for Saturday Protests

PARIS — French authorities on Tuesday promised a 'massive' police presence for further protests planned on Saturday and imposed localized curfews for a second consecutive night, as the country grapples with the fallout from its worst rioting in years. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu credited the 'targeted curfews' with helping maintain calm overnight into Tuesday; he admitted that intelligence services had failed to identify the severity of the situation and said previous security arrangements had been too static.

Paris police announced an overnight curfew from 11 p.m. Tuesday in the worst-hit areas around Place de la République and Les Halles, while cities including Bordeaux and Lille will also impose curfews. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told MPs at the National Assembly that he deeply regretted the weekend violence and accepted his share of responsibility, while pointing to the role of political opponents and of those who carried out the destruction: 'I accept my share of the responsibility, but I would not want us to forget the significant responsibility of a certain political camp that does not hesitate to add fuel to the fire, nor the responsibility of the troublemakers.'

France's main student union UNEF has called for further protests on Saturday and said it will not give up until its demands are met; the CGT, one of France's biggest trade unions, said it will join, calling for peaceful protests. The unrest began over education and the cost of living: more than half a million people demonstrated across France on Saturday, mostly peacefully, but looting and fires broke out after dark in several cities. More than 2,000 people were arrested over the weekend, with at least two deaths and reports of serious injuries, including two people who lost their hands; Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said on Tuesday that around 3,000 shops were looted across the country.

On support for victims, Reuters reported that the government is putting in place state-financed furlough measures to help employers avoid layoffs, and that funds are being set aside to help companies meet immediate cashflow needs, though full details of the funding and its distribution have yet to be provided; insurers are also expected to cover some of the damage. President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday evening that 'those who destroyed must pay' and promised meetings this week to discuss 'concrete proposals' and listen to protesters' demands.

Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 巴黎共和国广场（Place de la République）共和国纪念碑资料图，为事发地标、非抗议现场。照片：Romainbehar 摄，CC0，经维基共享资源。 / File photo of the Monument to the Republic at Place de la République, Paris, a location named in this report; not a scene from the protests. Photo by Romainbehar, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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