Marseille bans protests, communal gatherings as France sees series of violent riots nationwide

Marseille has banned protests and communal gatherings from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday amid nationwide riots in France. Prime Minister Lecornu asked local authorities to impose partial curfews and warned a state of emergency may be declared. The violence, which erupted over rising living costs and declining public services, saw public buildings set ablaze and shops looted in multiple cities. President Macron condemned the scenes as 'shocking.' Several European governments issued travel warnings.

Marseille has banned protests and communal gatherings between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, the Bouches-du-Rhône Police Prefecture announced. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked some local authorities to impose partial curfews and said a state of emergency would be declared if necessary. The ban comes as violent riots erupted across France over the weekend, with demonstrations against rising living costs and declining public services spiraling out of control. In Limoges, the city hall was set ablaze; in Marseille, black-clad protesters broke into city hall; and in Lyon, protesters torched the tourist office. President Macron condemned the violence in a televised address, calling the scenes 'shocking' and saying 'nothing justifies it.' Several European governments, including Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway, issued travel warnings advising citizens to avoid large crowds and exercise caution.