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Lyon: Over 10,000 protesters dispersed as court upholds ban
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More than 10,000 people demonstrated in Lyon on 24 October 2026 despite a prefectural ban confirmed by the administrative court. The diverse crowd, including students, parents, and union members, gathered at Place Jean-Macé. Police systematically repressed scattered marches, charging peaceful protesters multiple times. The ban followed looting and the burning of the tourism office on 17 October at Place Bellecour. Protesters expressed fear but determination, with one FO union official calling protest bans shameful and denying responsibility for violence. Students said they attended to support high schoolers and denounce the high cost of living. The article is partially paywalled.
Source report
Lyon, October 24, 2026 — Olivier Chassignole/AFP
A diverse and cheerful crowd — including high school students, parents, university students, union members, salaried workers, and activists — gathered in the early afternoon at Place Jean-Macé in Lyon's 7th arrondissement. More than 10,000 people converged on the area designated by the unions for a demonstration that was ultimately banned by prefectural decree, a decision later confirmed by the administrative court.
The turnout was unexpected, given that the police presence had been announced as uncompromising following the looting and the burning of the tourist office that erupted on Saturday, October 17, at Place Bellecour in central Lyon.
Voices from the Crowd
Frédéric Volle, a member of the departmental executive of the FO union, said:
"Bans on demonstrating are shameful. We are not responsible for the violence. We are going to follow what happens."
Alice and Nina, both 25-year-old students at Lyon-II University, stated:
"Of course we are afraid, but if we don't come, they have won."
Agnès, 54, who came with her high-school-aged daughter, explained:
"I'm here to support the high school students and to denounce the high cost of living."
Signs and Slogans
The placards competed in humor and political messaging. One read: "I agree with all the other placards." Another, held aloft by a medical student, declared: "Born of the barricades, betrayed by the State."
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Source
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western