French Senate passes bill to make protesters pay for unrest damage

France’s Senate approved a bill making protesters potentially liable for damage, despite warnings it could deter peaceful assembly. Senators passed it 229–105 Wednesday, sending it to the National Assembly for debate and a vote. The measure would allow courts to impose liability of up to €10,000 on people deemed to have knowingly joined groups intending vandalism, even if they did not cause damage themselves. Authorities could also seize welfare and housing benefits to cover compensation. The bill is not yet law.