French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that “illegitimate” protests would be banned in the coming days and that he would convene a defence council under his chairmanship on Friday, while protests by organised groups such as unions would be offered alternative routes to protect businesses, according to France 24.

Only union-organised protests would be authorised during nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, he said. In Lyon, the Rhône prefect decided to ban by decree all protests in the city this Saturday, October 24, according to The Hindu.