France November 5 nationwide protest security measures Laurent Nuñez, Digi Mart USA News (France): French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez asked prefects and security officials on Tuesday to prepare “robust” security arrangements for a “sensitive” day of protests on Thursday, according to a telegram seen by AFP.
In the message, Nuñez said the protest days of October 17, 24 and 31 saw massive, highly mobile groups attack seats of power, loot numerous shops and confront police and gendarmes in many cities across the country. He noted that the November 5 day is the subject of many calls to demonstrate as part of a national day of action by intersyndical unions.
To prevent disturbances such as damage, violence and looting, Nuñez asked prefects to work in the same spirit as for the October 24 and 31 days, with operational arrangements that are robust, agile and responsive. Police and gendarmerie staffing is to be reinforced during this sensitive day.
Prefects were also invited to take any administrative police measures that help ensure demonstrations remain calm and free of clashes. These include bans on demonstrating in city centers, orders authorizing the use of drones, and bans on carrying weapons and protective equipment.
The minister also recommended flow checks ahead of gatherings, particularly at train stations and transport routes, to limit the movement of high-risk individuals and to detect materials that could be used for violence, such as balaclavas, masks, fireworks and mortars, or to identify people not authorized to take part in the demonstrations.
