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There will be another demonstration in France on 24th. In the shadow of the violent looting that occurred last weekend, businesses in Paris have sealed their windows, adjusted their operations or closed their stores. The police and security industry have also helped strengthen security.
Nationwide protests in France took a turn for the worse last weekend, with scores of stores across the country violently vandalized and looted. People will take to the streets again tomorrow to protest. To protect themselves, Parisian merchants put wooden boards over their windows, adjusted their trading hours or removed valuable goods in advance.
The French General Trade Union (CGT) and other groups called on the public to take to the streets again on the 24th to protest rising prices and to support students’ demands for educational resources. In view of the violent incidents that occurred during the demonstrations on the 17th, in which a large number of shops were broken into and looted, Paris merchants made preparations to avoid becoming victims.
Several businesses on Boulevard Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement of Paris were the victims of violent demonstrations last weekend. Several business owners recently told Central News Agency reporters that they planned to keep their doors closed during the demonstrations and not store valuable goods and equipment in their stores to avoid being targeted again.
Yesterday, BFM TV revealed a letter from the Paris Police Department to traders. Considering that it is mentioned in the textsocial media Calls of looting and vandalism circulated, and businesses were advised to tighten security measures such as hiring private security personnel, checking alarm systems, and adjusting business hours.
Le Monde reported that the Paris Police Department confirmed that it had recommended that traders strengthen security measures and hire private security personnel if possible, but it did not encourage traders to maintain their security or seek justice. It is still the responsibility of the state to protect traders and shops.
Tomorrow’s parade route, approved by the Paris Police Department, runs from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation via Avenue Dumesnil, mostly in the 12th arrondissement.
However, according to what reporters saw, a Chanel perfume store in the 16th District hired people to seal the window with wooden boards yesterday. This district has always been relatively peaceful and is several kilometers away from the parade route.
Another application for a parade route from the Place de la Bastille to the Opera was banned by the “Yellow Vest” movement organization and student group Interfac.
Le Monde noted that the owner of a mobile phone store on Avenue Domaine did not want to take any risks and decided not to open yesterday. Mobile phone and 3C appliance stores were among the most unsafe types of stores targeted during the violence on the 17th.
A private security company revealed that some affluent areas employ private security personnel. Many pharmacies and jewelry stores in the 7th, 11th and 20th districts have already made inquiries for tomorrow’s demonstrations. The company will not provide weapons and specialized equipment to “mediators”, i.e. people intended to discourage people from looting or avoid conflicts.
Boutique group Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (LVMH) sent a team of security personnel to protect luxury brand Dior’s store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris over the weekend. Hermès, another high-end brand, will remain closed tomorrow after its store in the southern city of Marseille was looted last weekend, and protective measures will be strengthened at other stores.
After witnessing the tragic destruction last weekend, businesses in the Les Halles area of central Paris began buying equipment such as stun guns, batons and self-defense spray to try to protect themselves, the French news channel (FranceInfo) reported.
“Everyone is in deep shock,” said Yves Goletti, owner of a self-defense store. “Many people were trapped in their shops by robbers. They were very scared.”
