France Bans Planned Protests in Paris, Lyon, Lille, and Grenoble

French authorities have banned planned protests in Paris, Lyon, Lille, and Grenoble for Thursday following weekend riots, citing high risk of further street violence. Student groups vow to continue mobilizing despite the ban. The weekend saw masked youths attack police, loot shops, and torch cars, exposing weaknesses in police security planning. Authorities imposed nighttime curfews in some areas. The Paris ban covers the Élysée Palace, parliament chambers, main train stations, and parts of the city center hit by looting. Thursday's rallies were seen as a prelude to larger demonstrations Saturday, with Yellow Vest activists planning to join. President Emmanuel Macron met with ministers and intelligence officials, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a massive security deployment for Saturday. The protests began in September over teacher shortages and school conditions, now also targeting rising living costs.