Toulouse: the arrival of Stéphane Ravier and Gilbert Collard of the “Reconquest” party under close surveillance
This Saturday, at the end of the day, Stéphane Ravier and Gilbert Collard, two members of Eric Zemmour’s “Reconquest” party held a meeting at the “Pierre Baudis” space in the Compans-Caffarelli district in Toulouse. A political meeting under close surveillance by the police.
The atmosphere must have been hostile. In any case, this is the message that was translated by the anti-fascists to Stéphane Ravier and Gilbert Collard, two members of Eric Zemmour’s “Reconquest” party a few days before their arrival in Toulouse. And at the end of the day, this Saturday, near the Pierre Baudis space in the Compans-Caffarelli district where the meeting was held, the atmosphere was rather placed under the sign of high security. Dozens of law enforcement trucks, vans and other vehicles were parked on Lascrosses Boulevard causing major traffic jams.
Police officers stationed on the boulevard around 6:30 p.m. manage traffic, asking motorists to turn around. Steering wheel, horns and other maneuvers take place to comply with police instructions. A few steps from the “Pierre Baudis” space, on the roundabout in the Arnaud Bernard district, a few dozen anti-fascists are standing under the watchful eye of the police stationed at each intersection and beginning of the street. Over the minutes, the tension is more and more palpable.
At the entrance to the meeting of the two figures of the “Reconquest” party, several organizers leaning against metal barriers are insulted by passers-by. One of them, while filming with her phone, vociferates to signal the presence of these supporters of Eric Zemmour. Before their eyes, she even sings the first notes of the Marseillaise. Like a snub, supporters of the “Reconquest” party respond to him by continuing the national anthem. Then silence again.
Thirty opponents
On this esplanade, surrounded by the police, opponents and sympathizers gaze at each other, making the atmosphere even more special. The few words exchanged between the two “camps” are rare. Thirty minutes late, once the public is installed inside the building, at nightfall, the tension seems almost to have subsided. The jet of a firecracker, resonating throughout the neighborhood, disturbs the apparent calm and startles the few pedestrians and delivery people present near the restaurants. Then calm returns almost immediately.
But a few meters away, a slightly larger group has formed. About thirty anti-fascists posted in front of the fast food sign “KFC” waits, in the cold. As the police approach, some tempers flare. Then the tension goes down again. A few minutes from the end of the meeting and the start of the rugby match, the various vehicles of the forces are still parked on the boulevards. There is no incident to report.