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US, UK Warn Citizens to Avoid French Cities Over Protests
The United States and the United Kingdom have issued travel advisories for French cities, warning their citizens to avoid certain areas due to ongoing protests.
RNN earlier reported that over 700 people were already arrested and 200 cops have been injured; The protests, which began in late May, are over a proposed labour reform bill that would make it easier for businesses to hire and fire workers. The bill has been met with widespread opposition from unions and some political parties.
In recent weeks, the protests have turned violent, with clashes between protesters and police. There have been reports of injuries and property damage.
On Friday, the United Kingdom’s foreign ministry warned that “since June 27th, riots have taken place across France. Locations and timing of riots are unpredictable. You should monitor the media, and avoid areas where riots are taking place”.
The day earlier, the United States Embassy in France put out a similar alert, cautioning travellers about “potentially violent protests”.
Neither country advised against travel to France, but the US Embassy warned, “US citizens should avoid mass gatherings and areas of significant police activity as they can turn violent and result in clashes”.
Despite the embassy’s alert, the US government has not changed the official travel advisory, which has stood at “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” since October 2022 due to “terrorism and civil unrest”.
The US State Department has warned citizens to “avoid all demonstrations and protests” in France and to “exercise caution” in areas where protests are taking place. The UK Foreign Office has issued a similar warning, advising citizens to “be aware of the risk of violence” and to “avoid large gatherings.”
The travel advisories come as the protests show no signs of abating. On Friday, June 30, police arrested more than 600 people in Paris and other cities.
The French government has said that it is committed to passing the labour reform bill, but it has also expressed concern about the violence. President Emmanuel Macron has called for calm, and he has urged the protesters to engage in dialogue.