Macron Blames France Protests on ‘Ultra-Left Groups’ Seeking to Bring Down the Republic

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that France would ban demonstrations organized by “individuals or groups with no legitimate authority,” blaming “ultra-left groups” for riots and looting that have swept parts of the country.

Macron spoke as thousands of people marched through Paris on Thursday, according to The Associated Press, ahead of larger protests planned across France this weekend.

“Last Saturday we had political and seditious acts by ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic,” Macron said, according to Reuters, after meeting with intelligence officials.

Businesses in central Paris have begun boarding up windows amid fears of violence during Saturday’s demonstrations, Reuters reported. Authorities also told the news agency that planned protests in Lyon on Saturday had been prohibited.

Macron said authorities would prohibit protests organized by “individuals or groups with no legitimate authority” as part of the government’s approach in the days ahead.

“Where trade unions submit requests to hold demonstrations, prefects will examine them in accordance with the law, but alternative routes will be proposed” to safeguard city centers, businesses and public buildings, Macron said.

“The rules are simple, and I think they’re just common sense. The general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations in the coming days,” he said. “For those who still want to protest, if they are trade unions, prefects will propose alternative routes.”

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Organizers of Thursday’s Paris protest said an administrative court overturned a police ban after they challenged it. The Paris police prefecture had argued that the restriction was necessary because of the threat of street violence, following clashes over the weekend between masked youths and police, along with reports of looted stores and burned vehicles.

The unrest began in September with protests calling for education reform before growing into broader anti-government demonstrations. French officials say far-left groups are driving the escalation.

Protesters gathered peacefully and chanted in southeastern Paris on Thursday as a large police presence monitored the demonstration, the AP reported.

Thursday’s rallies were viewed as a prelude to a larger demonstration Saturday. Activists from the “yellow vest” movement, whose protests over fuel prices shook France in 2018 and 2019, are expected to join members of the CGT labor union.