France Imposes Nightly Curfews Across Paris and Major Cities After Worst Riots in Years

France declared nightly curfews 'for as long as necessary' across Paris and several other major cities after the country experienced its worst outbreak of civil unrest in years. What began in September as a student-led movement demanding education reforms broadened into a wider protest against the rising cost of living, before degenerating into violent rioting over the weekend of October 18–19. Demonstrators targeted businesses and government buildings, prompting the government to act swiftly. By Monday October 20, limited curfews were imposed in four northern cities including Lille, running from 8 pm to 6 am. A partial curfew and ban on demonstrations was then extended to parts of Paris from 11 pm each night. By Tuesday October 21 the first relatively quiet overnight was reported, and new curfews were placed across the city centres of Paris and Lyon. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called on regional authorities to impose further restrictions, and more than 2,500 people had been arrested. Soldiers from the Sentinelle anti-terrorism operation were redeployed from guarding sensitive sites to free up riot police. Officials promised a 'massive' security presence through the weekend.