The National reported that France plans to deploy 70,000 security personnel nationwide Saturday, as the government again bars city-center demonstrations and officials prepare for gatherings stretching into Halloween night.
The National put the number of business owners whose businesses have been damaged since mid-September at about 3,000. It also reported that some stores affected by the Oct. 17 looting have used interest-free state loans to rebuild. Alain Di Crescenzo, president of CCI France, told France Inter on Friday that Halloween had heightened merchants’ concerns. “We can’t wait for this Saturday to be over,” he said.
The National described the previous weekend’s protests as calmer than the clashes and looting on Oct. 17. It said Saturday’s 70,000-person deployment will match the force used the previous weekend. EconoTimes previously reported a quieter night in Paris after curfews took effect.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez cited social media calls for gatherings in public squares around 3 p.m. ET (19:00 UTC) Saturday, The National reported. Nunez said the protests could continue later into the evening and that Halloween costumes do not justify concealing faces in public to disturb public order.
France’s law restricting face concealment was enacted in 2010 and took effect April 11, 2011, with exceptions for certain events and circumstances. Under Penal Code Article 431-9-1, intentionally concealing one’s face without a legitimate reason at or near a public demonstration where public-order disturbances occur or are likely can carry up to one year in prison and a €15,000 fine.
