OMM Newsroom
French authorities banned all gatherings and demonstrations across Marseille on Monday from noon to 8 pm local time after violence and looting over the weekend, Anadolu Agency reported.
The Bouches-du-Rhone police prefecture announced the restrictions in an order covering the entire city, French broadcaster BFMTV reported. The measure is intended to prevent further public disorder following unrest on Oct. 17 and 18.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez was also expected to visit Marseille on Monday to assess the situation.
Separately, the northern French town of Denain has imposed a nighttime curfew on adults and minors. Mayor Anne-Lise Dufour-Tonini said it would apply nightly from 9 pm to 6 am between Oct. 18 and Oct. 25.
In an address on Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron said prefects would coordinate with mayors to protect cities, including by banning certain gatherings when necessary.
Nationwide demonstrations on Saturday drew protesters opposing the high cost of living, including rising fuel and energy prices, declining purchasing power and concerns over public services. Participants included Yellow Vest activists, high school and university students, trade union members and retirees.
While many marches proceeded peacefully, violence broke out in several cities, including Paris, Marseille and Lyon. Shops were looted, public buildings were attacked and protesters clashed with police.
In Marseille, rioters entered and damaged the city hall near the Old Port, looted businesses and clashed with security forces.
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said 2,331 people were placed in police custody across France over the weekend. Dozens were remanded in pretrial detention, including 13 in Marseille.
The president of CCI France estimated that more than 2,000 businesses would be directly affected by the unrest, with damage amounting to hundreds of millions of euros.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu convened an interministerial crisis meeting on Monday to discuss support for businesses, insurance claims and subsequent legal proceedings. Yellow Vest organizers announced fresh protests for Oct. 24.
