Marseille barred public gatherings for eight hours on Oct. 19 as France moved to impose local curfews after protest violence damaged businesses, adding security restrictions to the government's response to the unrest.
The Bouches-du-Rhône police prefecture said its citywide order covered gatherings and demonstrations from noon to 8 p.m. CEST (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. UTC). The order was separate from the partial curfews Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu directed prefects to introduce that evening.
Prefects would decide where to impose curfews after consulting mayors and chambers of commerce, Lecornu said. He said the measures were intended to protect people and shops.
The response follows Oct. 17 protests across France over living costs and public services. The Association of French Mayors identified damage in Marseille, Limoges, Paris and Lyon. It distinguished the violence from the demonstrations themselves, which it said had respected public order.
Commerce Minister Serge Papin said an initial estimate indicated that at least 3,000 shops may have been damaged or looted. Lecornu said ministers were developing a dedicated support fund and discussing ways to speed insurance claims. Short-time work support for affected businesses is due to begin Oct. 20.
