France protests latest: Shopkeepers stock up on weapons as Paris braces for another weekend of chaos

The latest: Macron cracks down on 'illegitimate' protests ahead of weekendFrench president Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that "illegitimate" protests would be banned in the coming days and blamed "seditious" ultra-left groups and vandals for last weekend's riots and looting.Speaking after a meeting with intelligence chiefs and senior ministers, the beleaguered head of state said demonstrations organised by groups such as trade unions would be allowed to go ahead but could be diverted along alternative routes to protect businesses."Last Saturday we had political and seditious acts by ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic," he said.Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said he wanted voting rights suspended for people who defy bans on taking part in demonstrations, and restrictions on social media access for people involved in violence, looting or attacks on police.Macron (AFP/Getty)James Reynolds23 October 2026 08:00Good morningGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of the France protests, which are scheduled to begin on Saturday. Shopkeepers in Paris have stocked up on self-defence weapons amid fears that planned demonstrations this weekend could turn violent, according to a report. Gun shops in the French capital told The Times that they had seen a rise in demand for “pepper-gel” self-defence weapons from shopkeepers desperate to protect their stores from looting.James C. Reynolds23 October 2026 07:51