Trace of devastation in Paris: violent riots during the demonstration

Trace of devastation in Paris: violent riots during the demonstration

Cars on fire, windows smashed, dozens injured: a demonstration against police violence and the planned security law erupted again in Paris. The rioters left a trail of devastation and waged street fights with the police. According to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, 48 security guards were injured. There was no information on the number of protesters injured. A total of tens of thousands took to the streets across the country against the government’s plans, although significantly fewer than the previous weekend.

The Paris march began peacefully in the east of the capital on Saturday. Many young people were on the street, the unions were also represented; in fact, they had planned a march against social insecurity. Police secured the streets and checked some exits from the subway, a dpa reporter reported. For example, the posters read: “Darmanin resigns” or “France: land of police rights.” Many chanted “Macron, enough!”

After an hour and a half, riots broke out on the route of the demonstrations on Avenue Gambetta in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. According to the media, hundreds of rioters mixed with the protesters. Cars caught fire. A cloud of pitch-black smoke hung over the street. A bank branch was completely dismantled and small shops were also severely damaged. Fires started repeatedly along the route.

The demonstration finally ended in the evening on the Place de la République. When the square was cleared, disputes broke out again. The mayor of the most affected 20th district, Eric Pliez, said: “I strongly condemn the violence committed by the thugs on the sidelines of the demonstration.” The basic right to freedom of demonstration is “confiscated” by a minority.

According to the Interior Ministry, more than 52,000 people took to the streets in France, 5000 of them in Paris. The organizers usually give significantly higher numbers. However, that is well below the mobilization of the previous weekend. At that time, according to the authorities, 46,000 people demonstrated in Paris alone. 67 security guards were injured across the country. There were 95 arrests. There were also clashes in Nantes and Lyon.

The Interior Minister, Darmanin, defended the stricter laws envisaged. “Being a policeman or a gendarme is something very special. We must continue to protect law enforcement selectively, “he told the” Journal du Dimanche. ” Regarding criticism of him personally, he said: “I am proud to be a chief who defends his troops, who does not disappear like a flock of sparrows if something goes wrong.”

The government majority announced last week that it would review controversial Article 24 of the Security Law, which aims to restrict the distribution of recordings made by police officers. However, there are still lawsuits to remove this passage entirely. The law provides for other measures that are criticized, for example, the expansion of video surveillance by the police. (sda / dpa)