Demonstrations partially banned in four municipalities, including Fort-de-France, after nights of urban violence

The prefect of Martinique decreed on Friday September 20 the banning of “demonstrations, gatherings and other protest rallies” in Fort-de-France and three other towns on the island until Monday morning, after several nights of urban violence in a context of mobilization against the high cost of living.

“Unless expressly granted by the district sub-prefects, demonstrations, gatherings and other protest meetings are prohibited on public roads and private roads open to public traffic”states the order signed by the prefect Jean-Christophe Bouvier. This ban concerns the municipalities of Fort-de-France, Lamentin, Ducos and Robert, and runs until Monday 8 a.m. local time. The prefect justifies a measure intended to “to put an end to the violence and damage committed in groups, but also to the numerous obstacles to daily life and freedom of movement which penalise the entire population, particularly during the weekend”. However, “Protest demonstrations regularly declared to the competent authorities will continue to be able to take place”added the prefecture.

Since Wednesday evening, some neighborhoods in Fort-de-France and Lamentin, a neighboring town, have already been subject to a curfew, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., until Monday. But that didn’t stop the night from Thursday to Friday from being once again “agitated”according to the prefecture, which mentions three dams “erected and set ablaze at Lamentin” and eight in the south of the island. Four people were arrested.

The tensions, which have been high for several days, are part of a movement against the high cost of living launched in early September in Martinique. According to an INSEE study in 2022, food prices there were 40% higher than in mainland France.