EU says right to peaceful protest 'must be protected' in France

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Mayor of Nice Eric Ciotti speaks to the press in Nice, southeastern France, on October 19, 2026, two days after riots and looting occurred on the sidelines of nationwide cost-of-living demonstrations. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)

The European Union on Monday said the right to peaceful protest "must be protected" in France, while slamming nationwide arson, looting and attacks at the weekend as "unacceptable".

"Those who demonstrate peacefully must not be conflated with those who commit violence," EU spokesman Markus Lammert said. "Arson, looting, and attacks on people or public buildings are unacceptable."

AFP

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