Paris Imposes Curfews as Protests and Riots Continue Across Europe

After a weekend of riots in Paris, workers used a crane to remove a giant yellow vest draped over a statue in Place de la République. They also used pressure washers to clean graffiti off the monument, while police continued enforcing curfews in parts of the city.

According to the Associated Press, demonstrations have been taking place across Europe, including in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Albania, over everything from housing costs to problems with schools and government services.

In Madrid, 20-year-old waitress Diana Manzanares told AP that most of her paycheck goes toward rent, and her roommate is struggling to make ends meet, too. She was speaking from a protest camp in Puerta del Sol, where people have been gathering for weeks to demand more affordable housing.

The UK government updated its travel advice on October 21, warning that a nationwide strike planned for October 30 is expected to affect transportation.

Paris and Other French Cities Now Have Curfews

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High school students in France have been blocking school entrances and holding demonstrations for more than three weeks. Many are from lower-income neighborhoods, where students say their schools don’t have enough teachers and some buildings are falling apart.

France’s CGT labor union later joined the movement while students were on fall break. Hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully on October 17, but riots also broke out in several cities, with at least 2,400 people arrested nationwide.

In Limoges, a fire badly damaged the city’s 143-year-old town hall, and its bell tower collapsed. Police arrested a suspect on October 20, and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said the person may not have acted alone.

According to a newer AP report, police in Paris have been checking people’s identities and directing them away from areas under curfew. Lyon also has a nighttime curfew in part of its city center, running from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.

Student groups and members of the yellow vest movement are planning another day of demonstrations on Saturday, October 24. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government is preparing a major police operation for that day.

Hundreds Arrested During Riots in Italy

The protests in Italy are known as Italia in Piazza, or Italy in the Streets. Demonstrators are demanding higher wages, better healthcare and education, and more affordable housing.

Milan police reported arresting 271 people during two days of unrest, with 14 security officers injured. The city also saw masked rioters clashing with police, damaging property and looting stores.

A group calling itself the October 17 Movement has announced plans to hold demonstrations every Saturday at 3 p.m. in cities across Italy. The UK’s travel advisory also reports an increased police and military presence in Milan. It warns that demonstrations can happen without much notice and that transportation services may be canceled.

Housing Protests in Spain and Portugal, Clashes in Albania

The tents in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol have been there for weeks. The protests began after the eviction of María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who later died while hospitalized.

Housing demonstrations have also taken place in Barcelona and the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto. In Madrid, teachers began an indefinite strike last week, demanding better pay and working conditions.

Albania’s capital, Tirana, has been dealing with protests of its own. High school and university students have joined an anti-government movement calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign over corruption allegations and concerns about public services.

During protests on October 19, demonstrators threw rocks at police, who responded with tear gas. The UK government issued a travel advisory update on October 15 after reports of violence and property damage in central Tirana.

Visitors are being advised to avoid demonstrations and large political gatherings, check local reports and follow instructions from local officials.