demonstrations by far-right activists in Lyon, Rennes and Paris
Gatherings of far-right groups are increasing in France. Thursday, October 20, several demonstrations have been organized since, in particular in Paris, Lyon and Rennes, against the backdrop of political recovery of the murder of Lola. The parents of the little girl had however been extremely clear. They asked to stop using “the name and image of their child for political purposes”, said their lawyer on Friday. Franceinfo looks back on the main gatherings of recent days.
In Rennes, three processions on Saturday and clashes in the evening
Three demonstrations took place in the city center of Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), Saturday afternoon. It was, according to France 3 Brittany, a “radical Pride” place Sainte-Anne, a rally at the call of the party Reconquête! on the Charles-de-Gaulle esplanade to claim “justice for Lola”and a counter-demonstration to this far-right demonstration.
“We are at home”, “For Lola” or xenophobic slogans like “Migrant Murderers” were chanted by supporters of Eric Zemmour. A a few tens of meters among them, people have come together at the call of, among others, the NousToutes35 collective, or the Solidaire and New Anti-Capitalist parties. Their goal: to show that far-right ideas “nauseous” must not pass.
A few tens of meters. 150 people gathered in particular to denounce the March for Lola pic.twitter.com/n7VZjmtj1E
— France Bleu Armorique (@bleuarmorique) October 22, 2022
The participants in the two rallies as well as those of the radical Pride dispersed in the middle of the afternoon. But the situation degenerated in the evening. Shortly before 9 p.m., clashes erupted between far-left and far-right groups, police say, the regional daily reports. West France (article subscribers). The accusations are mutual. Far-right supporters say they have been attacked by far-left activists. The latter ensure that far-right activists attacked bar terraces openly favorable to LGBT + activists and were put to flight.
In Lyon, a hundred people marched on Friday chanting “immigrant murderers”
Several media, including Mag of Lyon, reported that between 100 and 200 ultra-right members marched through the streets of the capital of Gaul on Friday evening. At the head of the procession, two banners bore the inscriptions “Justice for Lola” and “Immigration Tues.”. The xenophobic slogan “Murderer Immigrant” was also chanted by protesters, according to videos showing the event.
“Immigrant murderer” is the slogan of the far-right militias in the streets of Lyon this evening. Great vigilance please, do not go out alone! pic.twitter.com/EcSwLnjlW3
— Raphaël Arnault (@ArnaultRaphael) October 21, 2022
According BFM-TVthe crowd dispersed calmly and the prefecture said that the police remained on alert Friday evening, monitoring the procession to prevent any incident or disturbance to public order.
“And again this Friday, the far right marches quietly through the streets of Lyon with racist slogans and calls for hatred”, reacted on Twitter Benjamin Badouardco-president of the group Les Ecologistes de la Métropole du Grand Lyon. “I hope that the Minister of the Interior, who is very interested in Lyon when it comes to attacking its mayor, will do his job in the face of the far-right factions which invade the streets to attack to the fundamental values of our Republic”, wrote EELV MEP David Corman.
In Paris, a demonstration Thursday in the presence of Eric Zemmour
Before the development of the parents of Lola, hundreds of people met Thursday evening, in Paris, in the presence in particular of Eric Zemmour and at the call of the “Institute for justice”, a reputable association close to the President of Reconquest!. Three supporters of the far-right candidate were also present at this rally that the organizers wanted “non-partisan”: Nicolas Bay, Guillaume Peltier and Marion Maréchal.
“We want the death penalty restored for child killers”chanted one of the participants in the Parisian demonstration into a megaphone, to applause. “Collaborators of journalists!”launched protesters.
“Collaborators of journalists!” can we hear as the police evacuate the place Denfert-Rochereau#ManifForLola pic.twitter.com/APU97jggOX
— Antoine Marette (@antoine_marette) October 20, 2022
For its part, the National Rally, which was initially to participate in the Parisian rally, finally organized a minute of silence at the same time in front of the National Assembly. “in tribute to Lola and in support of her family and loved ones”. Other rallies also took place Thursday evening in other cities, including Lyon, Metz and Saint-Etienne.