Politics · France · 2 hrs ago
French court partly lifts protest ban in Bouches-du-Rhône
A court in Marseille partly suspended a ban on demonstrations across the Bouches-du-Rhône department for Saturday, October 24.
It allowed gatherings in Gardanne, Istres, Martigues, Miramas and Tarascon, where no incidents were recorded during protests on October 17.
A union-backed march can also go ahead in Marseille from 2 p.m., under a special permission from the prefecture.
The prefecture had imposed the wider ban after violence and looting during the previous weekend’s protests, citing public safety and pressure on police.
The court kept the ban in place for other towns, saying some gatherings on October 17 had blocked roads and disrupted public order.
The dispute reflects a tension between public safety and the right to demonstrate.
Marseille’s public transport is expected to run, with services to be adjusted depending on conditions.
A Marseille administrative court partly suspended a prefectural order banning demonstrations across the Bouches-du-Rhône department on 24 October.
It allowed gatherings in Gardanne, Istres, Martigues, Miramas and Tarascon, where no incidents had been recorded on 17 October.
The ban remains in place in other covered towns, while an inter-union demonstration in Marseille had already been permitted as an exception.
The court cited public-order concerns, including police demands in Marseille and disruption caused by unauthorised gatherings the previous weekend.
The ruling partly answered a challenge brought by groups including the Human Rights League, the magistrates’ union and the CGT.
- Who
- The Marseille administrative court ruled on a prefectural order challenged by groups including the Human Rights League, the magistrates’ union and the CGT.
- What
- It partly suspended a ban on demonstrations, allowing gatherings in five towns.
- When
- The ruling was published on Saturday, 24 October 2026.
- Where
- Bouches-du-Rhône, southern France.
- Why
- The court cited public-order concerns, but allowed demonstrations in towns where no incidents were recorded on 17 October.
Demonstration-ban challengers
Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture
Protest restrictions
Demonstration-ban challengers
The challengers argued that a department-wide ban was disproportionate and infringed freedom to demonstrate.
Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture
The prefecture said the restrictions were needed to protect public safety and prevent further disorder.
Public order
Demonstration-ban challengers
The challengers said police should protect demonstrators rather than ban protests.
Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture
The prefecture cited violence and looting and said police resources were needed in Marseille.
Unauthorised gatherings blocked traffic on several public roads, and incidents were recorded in Marseille.
The prefecture announced a ban on demonstrations and planned restrictions on public transport.
The prefecture authorised an inter-union demonstration in Marseille as an exception and backed away from suspending public transport.
The Marseille administrative court partly suspended the demonstration ban, allowing gatherings in five towns.
- Court
- Marseille administrative court
- Permitted towns
- Gardanne, Istres, Martigues, Miramas and Tarascon
- Demonstration date
- 24 October 2026
- Earlier incidents
- 17 October 2026
- Challenge groups
- Human Rights League, magistrates’ union and CGT
4 sources
24 octobre: l'arrêté d'interdiction de manifester dans les Bouches-du-Rhône partiellement suspendu en justice
Manifestation du 24 octobre à Marseille : Finalement, une manif autorisée « à titre dérogatoire » et des transports
Mobilisation du 24 octobre : Benoît Payan critique les restrictions à Marseille
Marseille : interdiction de manifester et couvre-feu élargi aux majeurs dès ce 24 octobre
What people are saying
The tribunal did not go all the way because we would have wanted all the towns in the department to be covered by the suspension of this prefectural order.
It is the most exceptional situation known in the department for years.
Maintaining public order, republican order and the rule of law does not mean depriving people of their freedom.