The routes for the Paris protest marches on October 24th
A second round of protests has been called across France on Saturday, October 24th – here are the proposed routes for demos in Paris.
After nationwide protests, some of which spiralled into violence, in France on Saturday, a second round has been called for Saturday, October 24th.
Events are planned for most of the major cities – here a look at Paris.
At the time of writing the final route is unclear, with police yet to give permission for a confirmed march route.
Benjamin Ball, one of the coordinators of the Gilet Jaune (Yellow Vests) movement, said that he submitted an application to the Paris préfecture.
Speaking to French daily Le Parisien, he said organisers would like the march to pass through Place de la République before continuing along Grands Boulevards and ending near Opéra.
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However, Place de la République has been subject to restrictions on gatherings and a night-time curfew in recent days.
The route has not yet been confirmed by the authorities – police have the right to either ban demos altogether, or to order create an alternative route.
READ ALSO: Protests in France: What to expect on Saturday, October 24th
Other groups have proposed different routes. The Paris branch of the hardline CGT union has filed a declaration for a march starting at Bastille and heading towards Place de la Nation, which is around 2 kilometres away.
The student unions have also called on people to gather at Bastille at 2pm on Saturday, although the precise route for the demonstration has not been established.
Student mobilisation group Interfac IDF has yet to decide whether to join Saturday’s protest. Its members are due to discuss the issue at a meeting on Thursday evening, following further university assemblies.
Meanwhile, the group has also called for a separate demonstration on Thursday, starting at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in the 13th arrondissement and heading towards Bastille via the Gare d’Austerlitz and Gare de Lyon. At the time of publication, the Paris police préfecture has neither authorised nor banned this march.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has told prefects to prioritise routes away from public buildings and shopping streets. In a message to local authorities, he also called for protests considered likely to disrupt public order to be banned on Saturday.
We will update this article when we know more – the final routes will depend on decisions by the police préfecture and the organisers in the coming days. Follow the latest protest-related news in our protest section here
