France protest rules: How demonstrations are organized or banned

France faces continued social tension as Yellow Vest representatives filed a declaration Wednesday to protest in Paris on Saturday, following last week's chaos during a youth and union march. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez promised "massive police forces" for the October 24 mobilization. Any demonstration in France must be declared to local authorities 3 to 15 days in advance, serving an informational role for planning routes and police deployment. Authorities can ban protests if public order or security cannot be guaranteed, though the constitutional right to demonstrate can be challenged in court. Prefects oversee order maintenance, with police and gendarmes deployed by the interior ministry. Last Saturday, 60,000 officers were mobilized nationwide, fewer than the 90,000 used during 2018 Yellow Vest protests. Soldiers from the Sentinelle force, created after 2015 attacks, will guard public buildings but cannot engage protesters. Police may use offensive tactics including tear gas and LBD launchers, which can cause irreversible injuries.