Nice bans October 24 protest after weekend violence

The prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes has banned the demonstration planned for Saturday, October 24, on Place Masséna in Nice, a decision announced by Mayor Éric Ciotti. The measure also prohibits gatherings across a large part of the city center. The ban comes amid calls for a second act of the "Gilets jaunes" protests across France. Ciotti praised the prefect's authority and stated that nearly 400 national police and military personnel, supported by 280 municipal officers, will be deployed, describing the security setup as "incomparable" to the previous weekend's violence. The decision has drawn criticism from left-wing opposition, with Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux arguing that banning the protest increases risks for local businesses and complicates police work. The move follows vandalism and urban violence committed in the city center on October 17 and 18.