France: Activist groups to demonstrate in Paris and other cities nationwide Jan. 25-26 /update 1

Activist groups and labor unions plan to demonstrate in several major cities across France Jan. 25-26. The purpose of the action to denounce government efforts to tighten immigration legislation; the protests coincide with an expected ruling from the Constitutional Court on the constitutionality of a new immigration law'. Authorities estimate that approximately 75,000 demonstrators participated in related protests nationwide Jan. 21. Teachers' unions in Paris also plan to strike in support of the demonstrations. Organizers have announced the following specific gatherings:

Jan. 25

• Bordeaux: Protest at Place de la Victoire starting at 19:00

• Lille: Protest at Place de la Republique starting at 18:00

• Marseille: Protest at Place Felix Baret starting at 18:00

• Nantes: Protest at the Loire-Atlantique Prefecture building on Rue du Roi Albert starting at 18:30

• Paris: Protest at the Constitutional Council on Rue de Montpensier starting at 16:30

Jan. 26

• Marseille: Protest at the Unemployment Office (Bourse de Trevail) on Boulevard Charles Nedelec starting at 18:00

• Rennes: Protest at Esplanade Charles de Gaulle starting at 18:00

Related rallies are likely in other cities elsewhere in France. Participation will probably vary significantly by location; however, the gathering outside the Constitutional Council in Paris will almost certainly draw the largest crowd. Heightened security and localized transport disruptions are likely near all demonstration sites. Low-level confrontations between protesters and law enforcement officers cannot be ruled out.