Demonstrations against the “comprehensive security” law: No to the strengthening of police violence

Thousands of French people demonstrated yesterday to protest against the “comprehensive security” bill, which the government seeks to pass, with the aim of criminalizing the distribution of images that could generate criticism of the police, while activists fear that it will restrict freedoms. At the demonstrations, security forces fired tear gas grenades at protesters protesting police violence in Paris, after masked men threw stones and fireworks at police officers and set up roadblocks. The protesters set fire to some public properties on the streets of Paris, while clashing with the police during the latter’s attempt to prevent them from reaching some streets.

More than 60 policemen and gendarmes were injured, while 81 people were arrested during the demonstrations, according to the French Interior Ministry, which reported yesterday that 62 injuries were recorded among the police (39 in the regions and 23 in Paris). According to the ministry, 133,000 people demonstrated, including 46,000 in Paris, while organizers announced the participation of 500,000 people, including 200,000 in the capital. Protesters demanded freedom of the press after police beat up a black man, a music producer, sparking a protest over the bill, which is believed to restrict journalists’ freedom to expose police brutality.
The government of President Emmanuel Macron wants to use the “Comprehensive Security” law to criminalize the distribution of images or footage that could generate criticism of police officers and security personnel, while associations fear significant restrictions on press freedom and expression. The bill stipulates a penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros for anyone who disseminates images of policemen and gendarmes motivated by “bad faith”. The government argues that this article aims to protect people facing hate campaigns and calls for murder on social media, while revealing details of their private lives. However, the police assault on an Afro-descendant, and its propagation on social networks, prompted the citizens’ rejection of this law.

The bill provides for one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros

At the center of the protests that escalated until a political crisis triggered three articles of the “Comprehensive Security Law” bill that received the green light from the National Assembly last week, and are related to the publication of photos and videos of police officers in the performance of their work, and the use of drones and surveillance cameras by the security forces. . The Coordinator that called meetings against the law considered that “this bill aims to undermine freedom of the press, freedom of information and information, and freedom of expression, that is, in short, basic public freedoms in our republic. ” Opponents of the text believe that many cases of police violence would not have been revealed if they had not been captured by the lenses of journalists and the telephones of citizens. The protesters demand “the withdrawal of articles 21, 22 and 24 of the proposed Comprehensive Security Law, and the withdrawal of the new national plan to maintain order” that was announced in September, forcing journalists during the demonstrations to disperse when the security forces issue an order to do so, which prevents them from covering the events during these events. The meetings have been marked by riots in recent years.
And all this comes after the controversy broke out this week, with the disclosure of two cases related to police violence, turning a difficult political stage for the government into a true crisis. On Monday, the police carried out a violent intervention to dismantle a migrant camp set up in a square in central Paris, and also attacked journalists in front of cameras and smartphones, sparking protests from citizens. Then the public condemnation reached its climax on Thursday when surveillance cameras were released showing three policemen severely beating a black music producer. The press, social networks and some important sports figures denounced the police violence. The repercussions of this event will not end anytime soon, as activists from the “zero jackets” movement, which rocked France in 2018 and 2019, are expected to take to the streets and their demonstrations to be violent at times.
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to reduce outrage against the police by condemning this “unacceptable assault” and “shameful images”, and called on the government to “quickly present proposals” to “combat all forms of discrimination against more effective way. ” “On Thursday, Macron asked Interior Minister Gerald Darmanan, who is considered a central figure in his government, to impose very clear sanctions on the elements involved in the beating of Michel Zilker.

Subscribe to «News» on YouTube here