Curfews have been implemented across major French cities, including Paris, Bordeaux, Nice, and Lyon, as authorities intensify efforts to curb looting and vandalism during ongoing protests. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has indicated that declaring a state of emergency remains a possibility.
Trump Exploits France Unrest to Warn US Voters Over Immigration
US President Donald Trump seized on the unrest in France during a campaign rally in Kansas, using the chaos to criticize immigration policies ahead of key midterm elections. He described France as being overrun by migrants, jihadists, and communists, warning that similar situations must not occur in the United States.
Trump claimed he had previously cautioned French President Emmanuel Macron about the consequences of open borders, suggesting that Paris was on track to become a predominantly Muslim city if current trends continued.
Additionally, the president posted on his social media platform Truth Social, urging immediate action to close national borders in response to what he characterized as an invasion by migrants.
Paris Enforces Overnight Curfew Following Worst Rioting in Years
The Paris police announced a targeted overnight curfew affecting two downtown districts—Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping area—in the wake of intense weekend violence. The measure restricts movement between 11 PM and 6 AM and bans public gatherings starting at 8 PM.
According to officials, these restrictions aim to safeguard both citizens and infrastructure from further acts of violence and theft. The decision comes after days of widespread disruption, with rioters targeting municipal buildings, government offices, and thousands of commercial establishments nationwide.
Prime Minister Lecornu earlier advocated for limited, localized curfews as part of a broader strategy to restore order. Authorities in northern regions like Lille extended similar measures to minors under 18, enforcing restrictions from 8 PM onward for three consecutive nights.
Nice also imposed its own curfew for young people beginning at 9 PM local time. Despite the severity of the confrontations, Lecornu praised law enforcement for preventing fatalities, calling it nothing short of miraculous given the scale of destruction witnessed.
Ongoing Coverage: France’s Escalating Crisis
Welcome to our live coverage of the escalating situation in France. For a recap of previous developments, please refer to yesterday’s updates.
- Mass demonstrations erupted across the country in protest against rising living costs and in defense of student demands regarding educational funding. Clashes resulted in injuries among both law enforcement and civilians, with numerous public facilities set ablaze and extensive looting reported.
- To address the violence, French authorities enacted emergency curfews in central Paris, specifically around Place de la République and the Les Halles district, effective from 11 PM Monday through 6 AM Tuesday.
- Interior Minister Laurent Núñez acknowledged challenges faced by police forces, admitting they temporarily lost control in multiple cities over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Yellow Vest movement has called for renewed demonstrations scheduled for Saturday.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)
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