The prefect of the Rhone took a decree prohibiting demonstrations in the hyper-center of Lyon on May 1, even though the traditional trade-union had not planned to go there. "For several weeks, demonstrations disrupt every Saturday downtown Lyon and cause repeated attacks on people and property, which are particularly focused on shops and street furniture," said the prefecture in a statement on Monday.
It will therefore be prohibited to demonstrate in and around the main shopping street of the peninsula, Rue de la République, from 11am to 20h.
Shops at the trouble
The parade of May 1st, organized at the call of the CGT, FSU, Solidaires, Unef, the UNL and the CNT, must leave at 10:30 from place Jean Macé to reach Place Bellecour. "Other calls to demonstrate have been launched on social networks to join the main procession," said the prefecture.
For several Saturdays, the prefecture has taken similar orders to keep the "yellow vests" far from the shops of the hypercentre where the decline in turnover reaches 50% those days, even 75% in some cases, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.