France prepares for Saturday protests with new restrictions

France is preparing for further demonstrations on Saturday, October 24, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks tighter controls on some protests and authorities increase security after violence at rallies the previous weekend. The events are planned, and their outcome has not been established. Macron was scheduled to meet student representatives on Friday, October 23, for the first time since their protests began. The students have called for changes to the education system, including more teachers and improved school facilities. Their demonstrations, which began in September over conditions in schools, have broadened to include concerns about the cost of living. Authorities in Marseille and Lyon said demonstrations in both cities were banned for Saturday. In Paris, an administrative court suspended an initial police ban on a student march. Police then issued a narrower order allowing a stationary gathering but prohibiting the march. Macron urged prefects to reject applications for protests he considers illegitimate and proposed that union marches be diverted from businesses and public buildings. The measures come after protests on October 17 were followed by looting and riots....