Thousands gather in Paris after a court lifts a protest ban despite fears of new violence

PARIS (AP) — Thousands of protesters took to the Paris streets on Thursday while other cities banned demonstrations following a weekend of clashes and widespread looting that marked France’s most violent unrest in years.Organizers of the Paris protest said an administrative court in the city overturned a ban issued by police after they challenged it. The Paris police prefecture previously said the ban was necessary, given the risk of street violence after groups of masked youth clashed with police forces, looted shops and torched cars over the weekend.The Paris court ruling was not immediately made public. Protesters, including many youngsters, gathered peacefully and chanted in the southeastern part of Paris, amid heavy police presence.“We don’t need tear gas for our future to look bleak,” read a banner unfurled by protesters.Organizers signed a police document stating that the protest would remain stationary due to the risk of violence.More bans were expected...