Photo:APFrance's Prime Minister has announced a ban on yellow vest protests along the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris and in two other cities after riots at the weekend that left luxury stores ransacked and charred from fires. Edouard Philippe said the ban will apply for an unspecified period in the suburbs that have been "the most impacted" in the cities of Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse, where repeated destruction has occurred since the yellow vest protest movement began in November. He also said Paris police chief Michel Delpuech will be replaced this week by prefect Didier Lallement. Photo: APThe surge in violence came as the four-month-old yellow vest movement, which is pressing for more economic justice, has been dwindling. Last month, the French Parliament passed a bill backed by Macron's government to further prevent violence during protests and to help authorities maintain order.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 18, 2019 21:33 UTC