French shopkeepers board up stores in Lyon and Orléans before protests

Shopkeepers in Lyon and Orléans are boarding up their windows and reinforcing entrances to prepare for potential unrest over the upcoming weekend, Euronews reported. The security measures coincide with a National Rally party congress taking place in Orléans and expected demonstrations in Lyon. [1]

In Lyon, workers were filmed on Friday setting up wooden panels and protective fencing around City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Museum of Fine Arts, according to Euronews. Carpenters were also seen securing commercial storefronts and cutting protective boards along Rue de la République. [1]

Businesses in the affected cities are actively removing valuable stock from their premises to mitigate potential property damage, Euronews reported. The precautions follow heightened concerns among local merchants over possible violence and disruption during the planned events. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, France has recently experienced widespread demonstrations over inflation and declining public services. Previous protests led to significant property damage, including the burning of a tourist office in Lyon and the vandalism of a town hall in Marseille. [3]