France: US Warns Its Citizens About November 5 Protests

On November 4, the United States advised its citizens to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings in France ahead of the November 5 national strike, expected to affect transport, education, health care and public services. Washington warned that previous demonstrations had involved violence, looting and property damage, and that local authorities could impose curfews at short notice. On October 17, a protest drawing between 550,000 and 800,000 people turned violent in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux and Limoges, leading to nearly 2,400 arrests and about 1,000 police officers and gendarmes injured, according to the Interior Ministry. Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and asked Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to ensure full transparency about the security forces’ response.