Story perspectives

Macron Orders Protest Bans, Curfews After Weekend Riots

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 3:16 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President Emmanuel Macron ordered bans on protests and new curfews after weekend riots.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a massive security operation to protect Saturday demonstrations.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deployed Sentinelle soldiers to guard sensitive sites.
Curfews were imposed in Paris around Place de la République and Les Halles and in Lyon from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
About 2,400 people were arrested nationwide, including 855 in Paris, over the weekend.

History

Historical Context

In late October 2005, the electrocution deaths of Zyed Benna and Bouna Traoré sparked three weeks of riots across Paris suburbs, prompting President Jacques Chirac to declare a state of emergency on 8 November and impose curfews. The unrest saw nearly 9,000 vehicles torched and 2,888 arrests. Macron’s 2024 bans, curfews in Place de la République and Lyon, and Sentinelle deployment echo that 2005 security crackdown.

1 of 2

Story summary

President Emmanuel Macron ordered bans on protests and new curfews after weekend riots.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a massive security operation to protect Saturday demonstrations.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deployed Sentinelle soldiers to guard sensitive sites.
Curfews were imposed in Paris around Place de la République and Les Halles and in Lyon from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
About 2,400 people were arrested nationwide, including 855 in Paris, over the weekend.

1 / 2