Politics · France · 6 hrs ago
Paris court allows student protest after police ban
A Paris court overturned a police ban on a student-organised demonstration on Thursday.
The protest, organised by Interfac Île-de-France, brought students and other young people together in the French capital.
Police had banned the march over fears of violence after clashes, looting and fires during the weekend’s unrest.
Organisers challenged the ban, arguing it threatened the right to demonstrate, which is protected by France’s Constitution.
Thousands gathered peacefully under a heavy police presence, and organisers agreed to keep the protest stationary.
The weekend’s unrest has brought tighter security and more protest bans in Paris and other French cities.
A larger demonstration is expected on Saturday, with authorities planning a major security operation to prevent further violence.
A Paris administrative court suspended a police ban on a student-organised demonstration scheduled for Thursday, October 22.
The protest, organised by Interfac Île-de-France, was due to take place from 2 p.m. between Pitié-Salpêtrière and Bastille.
Police had issued the ban on Wednesday, citing the risk of violence and the organiser’s inability to prevent abuses.
Organisers challenged the ban, saying it threatened the right to demonstrate.
Students gathered peacefully in Paris amid a heavy police presence as authorities prepared for further protests.
- Who
- Interfac Île-de-France organised the demonstration, bringing together students from university general assemblies.
- What
- A court suspended the police ban on the planned student protest.
- When
- Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 2 p.m. The police issued the ban on Wednesday.
- Where
- Paris, on a route between Pitié-Salpêtrière and Bastille.
- Why
- Police cited the risk of violence and the organiser’s inability to prevent abuses. Organisers said the ban threatened the right to demonstrate.
Paris police prefecture
Interfac Île-de-France
Reason for the ban
Paris police prefecture
Police said the ban was necessary because of risks of violence and the organiser’s inability to prevent abuses.
Interfac Île-de-France
Interfac challenged the ban, saying it threatened the right to demonstrate and could be used to suppress mobilisation.
Paris police issued an order banning the planned student demonstration.
A Paris administrative court suspended the ban, allowing the demonstration to go ahead.
The Interfac demonstration was scheduled between Pitié-Salpêtrière and Bastille.
- Organiser
- Interfac Île-de-France
- Court
- Paris administrative court
- Protest date
- Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Start time
- 2 p.m.
- Planned route
- Between Pitié-Salpêtrière and Bastille
3 sources
Thousands gather in Paris after court lifts protest ban despite fears of new violence
REPORTAGE. "On n'est pas écoutés, et en plus on est maltraités" : dans un rassemblement à Paris, des étudiants remontés contre les interdictions de manifester
À Paris, la justice suspend l’interdiction de la manifestation étudiante prévue par l’Interfac ce jeudi
What people are saying
What was behind this ban on the demonstration was an attempt to undermine the very right to demonstrate.
The general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations in the coming days.