After weekend rioting over cost of living and school conditions, Paris police issue curfew | CBC

Curfews imposed in Paris

Paris police announced an overnight curfew on Monday for Place de la République, where rioting occurred Saturday, and Les Halles, a shopping area affected by looting. The restrictions bar people from entering or remaining in either area.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had called earlier for curfews that were “very limited” and “localized.” The article says he planned to provide details after consulting mayors, but does not clarify how that statement relates to the Paris police announcement. In northern France, authorities restricted people under 18 from going out in several cities, including Lille, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the next two days. Nice also imposed an overnight curfew for minors, beginning at 9 p.m. In Marseille, authorities barred protests and other gatherings from noon to 8 p.m. Monday.

Violence spread across France

Police said about 3,000 businesses and other public buildings were damaged or looted across France. At least 2,400 people were arrested nationwide. Protests in France are often largely peaceful, but violence on the fringes can lead to clashes with police, the article noted.

Officials face pressure over response

Police official Nuñez blamed the violence on “hordes of troublemakers and looters” and “far-left activists,” and said police tactics needed to adjust to highly mobile groups. He also said authorities could not tell business owners that control had been maintained in some major cities after hundreds of businesses were looted.

A statement said Nuñez was instructed to take steps toward transparency about planning and intelligence-gathering failures linked to the violence. The article does not identify who issued the instruction.

On Monday, firefighters and clean-up crews removed broken glass and other debris from Paris streets. Shopkeeper Zagoury said police did not arrive after being called during the looting, and a political leader said the government had failed to protect the French people.