French police banned protests in parts of Paris on Thursday as authorities braced for further demonstrations after some of the worst street unrest in years, while President Emmanuel Macron criticized comments by Trump and others that linked the violence to immigration.1,4,6
Paris police said participants would be barred from gathering at the Elysee presidential palace, the Bastille Square, both houses of parliament and several tourist areas, including the Louvre and the Champs-Elysees. The restrictions are set to run from 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) to 8 p.m. local time.1,4
The unrest began with students protesting high prices and demanding education reform, but it escalated as masked rioters looted shops and clashed with police. Images from a demonstration in Paris on October 17 against the cost of living and rising fuel prices showed masked protesters standing next to burning bicycles.1,4
On Monday, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admitted that the authorities had "lost control" and had failed to anticipate the scale of the violence. The country was swept by violent unrest over the previous weekend, and French authorities have since sought to reassure the public.1
Large-scale protests are also expected in Paris this weekend. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has pledged a "massive" security deployment for the event.1
Macron spoke to reporters in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, when he blasted what he called "unacceptable and even stupid" remarks by Trump and others claiming that student riots in France were the result of immigration. "We have people who explained that we have been invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists, which is totally false," he said.6
Macron railed against "stupid" comments made by foreign leaders for their political purposes. France 24 reported that his remarks appeared to accuse Trump of exploiting the violence for political gain ahead of the US midterm elections.1,4
Trump has blamed "migrants, jihadists, and communists" for the unrest. Politico Europe described the claim as pinning the riots on immigration, while The Washington Times described it as blaming Muslim migrants.1,3,5
Macron also warned the public against what he called "foreign manipulation," the Washington Examiner reported.2
Thailand has advised its citizens to postpone non-essential travel to parts of Europe affected by protests, and Malaysia has also warned its nationals about visiting France. The Malaysian embassy in Paris had advised Malaysians in France on Sunday "to exercise caution and remain vigilant" because of the protests.4
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phungketkeow told reporters late Wednesday, during a trip to Italy, that travellers from Thailand "must closely monitor the situation as it is changing rapidly and France remains a concern as the situation is still ongoing." He said his Italian counterpart had cancelled their bilateral meeting because of an urgent government cabinet meeting on the unrest in Italy, and added, "We are also worried about Spain."4
"If it's not necessary, with everything going on in those countries, I think it's better to delay the trip for a while," he said.4
