France: shops barricaded in Lyon and Orléans for possible unrest as protests loom
Wooden boards are going up across France as shopkeepers brace for possible unrest. With a National Rally congress in Orléans and protests approaching in Lyon, businesses fear damage and disruption.
As Lyon and Orléans prepare for a weekend of demonstrations , shopkeepers are boarding up windows , removing valuable stock and reinforcing entrances .
In Lyon, workers were filmed on Friday installing wooden panels and protective fencing outside City Hall , the Museum of Fine Arts and the Chamber of Commerce . Shops along Rue de la République were also being secured, with carpenters cutting boards and covering windows. The precautions reflect fears of possible violence and property damage , although no such incidents during the upcoming demonstrations have been confirmed.
In Orléans , businesses along the planned protest route are also taking precautions ahead of a weekend that will see the city host the National Rally’s congress . Nearly 3,000 police officers and security personnel will be deployed as between 20,000 and 30,000 protesters are expected to gather in opposition to the event, raising concerns over possible disruption .
