Interior Ministry uses anti-terror laws to issue residency orders to protesters
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French authorities are reportedly employing anti-terrorism measures to issue residency orders against activists, some without prior criminal records, in a move that has raised concerns about civil liberties. This development marks a significant escalation in the government's approach to managing public demonstrations.
Hundreds of thousands of people marched across France on October 31st to protest the rising cost of living, with estimates ranging from 320,000 to nearly 500,000 participants. While many demonstrations were peaceful, incidents of violence and looting by far-left groups were reported, leading to numerous arrests and injuries to law enforcement personnel, including a gendarme targeted by a Molotov cocktail.
The protests also highlighted growing apprehension among organizers and participants regarding public order measures that they believe restrict the right to demonstrate. This comes as a young independent photographer recounted being severely injured by a grenade during an earlier protest on October 17, prompting calls for the abolition of such weapons.