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State of emergency in France: Hundreds of thousands demonstrate against a law designed to protect police officers. However, prior to that, there were repeated reports of violence by officers. The mood intensifies.
According to organizers, 500,000 people took part in nationwide demonstrations in France against police violence and for press freedom. In Paris alone, 200,000 protesters took to the streets, said an alliance of journalists’ unions and human rights organizations that had called for the “March of freedoms.” The French Interior Ministry, however, spoke of 133,000 protesters across the country and 46,000 participants in Paris.
According to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, a total of 37 police officers and gendarmes were injured in the protests. On Twitter, he condemned the violence as unacceptable. Several users have posted videos of the riots on the portal. It showed, among other things, that the central bank of Paris was on fire.
Use of tear gas
Paris police said 46 people were arrested and 23 police officers injured. AFP had previously reported on riots. There were also clashes in the Breton city of Rennes and the police used tear gas.
Demonstration in Paris: During a protest against a new security law, a participant holds in his hand a sign that says “Land of police rights. (Source: Francois Mori / AP / dpa)
According to the government, the security law should better protect the police and restrict video recordings of police operations. An article of the law provides that the publication of photographs of security officers on duty is criminalized if it is done with the aim of damaging the physical or mental integrity of the police officers. Therefore, a prison sentence of one year or a fine of 45,000 euros could be the consequence.
This week alone, two brutal police operations had been revealed through videos: on Monday of an aggressive evacuation of tents by migrants, on Thursday of an attack on a producer of black music. Many also see freedom of the press at risk because of the proposed law. After the lower house passed the bill on Tuesday, the Senate now has to grapple with the controversial law.
