Bordeaux court upholds protest ban, rules after march begins

A French administrative court upheld a ban on protests in Bordeaux's city center on October 24, rejecting a suspension request from unions and rights groups. The ruling came just after the march began. The court deemed the prefect's ban "necessary, adapted, and proportionate" to maintain public order and prevent looting and damage. Protesters now face a 135-euro fine for participating in the officially prohibited demonstration. The decision was delivered over an hour later than the 2 p.m. deadline requested by plaintiffs, who cited the judge's need to draft a four-page ruling. Union leaders acknowledged the decision but vowed to appeal, noting the large, peaceful turnout despite the ban.