Why Are There Protests in France? NYT - World By: Catherine PorterοΌ SΓ©golΓ¨ne Le Stradic and Lynsey Chutel 24 October 2026 at 11:08 The authorities deployed tens of thousands of security forces and banned demonstrations in some cities, hoping to avoid a repeat of the riots that shook the country a week ago. Β© Jeff Pachoud/Agence France-Presse β Getty ImagesForensic officers examining the tourist office in Lyon, France, on Sunday Oct. 18.