Paris bans central gatherings and student march on October 22

Paris police prohibited gatherings in several central sectors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on October 22, and separately barred a planned student march, citing security concerns after recent unrest. The Paris Police Prefecture issued the order on October 21. It applies to areas including the Élysée Palace, the National Assembly and Senate, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, Place Vendôme, Châtelet-Les Halles, Place de la Bastille and major railway stations. The restrictions cover listed sectors rather than the entire city. The prefecture also prohibited a march organized by Interfac IDF, a student collective, which had planned to walk from Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital to Place de la Bastille. The prefecture said organizers had been unable to prevent abuses at demonstrations on October 13 and 17, and cited security risks. Interfac IDF said it would not be deterred and was challenging the prohibition legally. A court ruling on the challenge had not been reported. The order carries a 135-euro fine for anyone joining a prohibited gathering in the covered areas, according to the prefecture’s order as described in reports. At the prefecture’s request, the Paris transport operator planned to...