Paris museums close, stores put up barricades as France prepares for more protests
France deployed roughly 70,000 police officers nationwide as major Paris museums and cultural sites shut their doors ahead of expected demonstrations. Authorities and business owners took precautionary measures following earlier looting and widespread violence that left structural damage in cities including Marseille and Paris. While initial demonstrations on Saturday morning began largely peacefully, security forces fired tear gas and arrested dozens of individuals as clashes erupted later in the day. The heightened security posture aims to protect commercial districts and tourist landmarks from further destruction during a volatile weekend of unrest.
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- ✓ France deployed about 70,000 police officers nationwide ahead of Saturday's protests.
- ✓ Major Paris cultural sites including the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée Picasso, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the Eiffel Tower closed on Saturday.
- ✓ Looting left damage and fear on Paradise Street in Marseille during prior unrest.
- ✓ Demonstrations throughout France were largely peaceful initially, but police reported clashes with protesters on Saturday evening.
What changed
French authorities deployed about 70,000 police officers and shuttered prominent cultural landmarks as fresh protests commenced.
Live updates
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Paris Museums Close and Shops Barricade Ahead of Protests
France deployed roughly 70,000 police officers nationwide as major Paris museums and cultural sites shut their doors ahead of expected demonstrations. Authorities and business owners took precautionary measures following earlier looting and widespread violence that left structural damage in cities including Marseille and Paris. While initial demonstrations on Saturday morning began largely peacefully, security forces fired tear gas and arrested dozens of individuals as clashes erupted later in the day. The heightened security posture aims to protect commercial districts and tourist landmarks from further destruction during a volatile weekend of unrest.
Why it matters
The closures follow severe civil unrest that sparked looting and violence on Paradise Street in Marseille and across the French capital. The government deployed a massive security apparatus to prevent a repeat of the property damage that affected cultural and retail centers during prior weekends of demonstration. European capitals are closely monitoring the widespread social discontent.
What is confirmed
- France deployed about 70,000 police officers nationwide ahead of Saturday's protests.
- Major Paris cultural sites including the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée Picasso, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the Eiffel Tower closed on Saturday.
- Looting left damage and fear on Paradise Street in Marseille during prior unrest.
- Demonstrations throughout France were largely peaceful initially, but police reported clashes with protesters on Saturday evening.
Still unconfirmed
- Italian police conducted home raids in Milan ahead of scheduled demonstrations.
What to watch next
- Updates on total arrest counts and the extent of property damage from Saturday evening clashes.
- Official assessments from French authorities regarding security measures for the remainder of the weekend.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (17)
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- CBS News — Paris museums close, stores put up barricades as France prepares for more protests
- The New York Times — Looting Left Damage and Fear on Paradise Street in Marseille
- The Guardian — Protests begin in France, as Italian police raid homes in Milan ahead of demonstrations – Europe live
- NPR — France braces for another volatile weekend as massive police deployment greets protests
- WSJ — France Girds for Another Day of Protest After Widespread Violence
- CNN — Live updates: Protests start in Paris with another weekend of discontent set to sweep Europe
- Yahoo — Mona Lisa off limits as Paris shuts museums over protest fears
- www.cbsnews.com — More than 1,000 arrested in France as protesters and police ...
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- www.france24.com — French police deploy in big numbers and Paris shuts major museums ahead of new protests - France 24
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