With fears of further violence growing, France braces for weekend protests after riots and looting

Authorities prepare for rallies

France is bracing for another weekend of protests after a week of turmoil. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said at least 217 people had been jailed over the past week following fast-track trials.

Interior Minister Jean-Didier Berger said police deployments would increase by 20 per cent. Nice and Lyon have imposed complete bans, while Macron said only protests he considered “illegitimate” would be prohibited.

Macron said trade union groups wishing to demonstrate would be offered alternative routes by prefects. He added that the general recommendation was against demonstrations.

Groups plan weekend demonstrations

Last weekend, shops had windows smashed and some were set on fire. Luxury retailers, including Louis Vuitton, were widely looted amid the disorder.

Businesses and events respond

Businesses are boarding up shop windows amid fears that the new demonstrations could turn violent. On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers cancelled a planned weekend fan event in Paris as authorities prepared for further protests.

The team said its “Steelers House” event in the Bastille neighbourhood would not go ahead. The cancellation came ahead of the NFL’s first regular-season game in the capital.

Police conduct draws criticism

Police have faced criticism over their response to the demonstrations, including the use of tear gas and batons. Enzo said he remained traumatised and felt police were attacking protesters rather than protecting them.

Lawyer Ainoha Pascual told Al Jazeera that injuries could deter people and those around them from returning to demonstrations. Acled data analysed by The Guardian found that France did not have Europe’s highest number of protests, but unrest there escalated into high-intensity episodes more quickly.

On Thursday, Macron blamed what he called the “hard left” for the unrest. He said ultra-left groups had engaged in political and seditious acts aimed at bringing down the Republic.