Lyon bans all protests on Oct 24 after violent riots on Oct 17

Mayor Gregory Doucet said Lyon experienced hours of chaos after riots on Oct 17, prompting the Rhone prefecture to ban all protests in the city on Saturday Oct 24. The ban was issued by decree after masked youths looted between 150 and 200 shops and set fire to a tourist office. Police detained about 200 people during the unrest. The violence occurred alongside mass rallies across France that protested high inflation and the cost of living. The Yellow Vest movement and trade unions have called for another nationwide demonstration on Oct 24 and a general strike on Nov 5. In response, French authorities imposed three nights of curfew in parts of Paris, Lyon and other cities to protect shopping districts. The prefecture’s statement cited the events of Oct 17 as the reason for the precautionary ban. Lyon is France’s third‑largest city and has seen repeated street clashes in recent weeks. The ban aims to prevent further looting and injuries ahead of the scheduled protests. ## Context France often uses curfews and temporary protest bans when public order is threatened. The Yellow Vest movement began in 2018 to oppose fuel taxes and has since broadened its demands to overall cost‑of‑living issues.