Yellow Vests banned from Champs-Élysées

French police have banned the “gilets jaunes” (yellow vest) protesters from the Champs-Élysées in Paris on Saturday after rioters destroyed businesses last week.

The government has warned that it intends to react severely against any new outbreak of violence and for the first time is deploying soldiers to help maintain security, both in Paris and in Nice.

Politicians from across the political spectrum voiced concerns over the deployment of troops against the protesters.

Last Saturday lawlessness reigned along the Champs-Élysées, as groups of rioters looted and burned with police seemingly powerless to intervene. The government says that can’t be allowed to happen again.

For this Saturday, the Paris police chief has been replaced, fines for illegal assembly have been increased, and the area around the Champs-Élysées has been declared off-limits.

Via BBC