French senators are debating a new bill aimed at making not only the perpetrators of recent riots but also those belonging to the same group pay for damages, as thousands of French businesses grapple with the fallout from the unrest.
The bill centres on the idea of "collective civil liability," which divides lawmakers.
Opponents say the measure could potentially violate people's democratic rights to protest, as some might stay clear of demonstrations for fear of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.