France Protesters Defy Bans to Memorial Rally Against Police Violence
PARIS: Approximately 2,000 individuals gathered in central Paris on Saturday to participate in a memorial rally for a young black man who died while in police custody. Simultaneously, protests took place throughout France to denounce instances of police brutality. These demonstrations come at a time of heightened tension following several days of rioting that engulfed the country.
Nationwide, an estimated 5,900 people took to the streets, as reported by the interior ministry.
In commemoration of the seventh anniversary of Adama Traore's death, his sister had planned to lead an annual march in Persan and Beaumont-sur-Oise, north of Paris. However, due to concerns about reigniting recent unrest triggered by the police killing of 17-year-old Nahel M. during a traffic stop near Paris, a court deemed the likelihood of public disturbance too high to allow the march to proceed.
Assa Traore, Adama's older sister, expressed her dissatisfaction with the decision in a video posted on Twitter. She criticized the government for adding fuel to the fire and disrespecting her brother's death. Instead, she attended a rally at Place de la Republique in central Paris, where she denounced police violence and highlighted the efforts to conceal the deaths of victims.
The Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, expressed concerns about a potential resurgence of rioting as France approaches Bastille Day on July 14. She assured the French public that the government would deploy substantial measures to ensure their safety during the national holiday. While specific details were to be provided by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, Borne announced a ban on the sale of fireworks, which had been utilized by rioters to target law enforcement.
The planned Paris rally for Traore was also prohibited, citing potential disruptions to public order. Additionally, a legal case has been initiated against Assa Traore for organizing the event, as confirmed by the police. Youssouf Traore, another brother of Assa Tarore, was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of violence against a person holding public authority, according to public prosecutors.
Assa Traore expressed confusion regarding her brother's arrest, stating that the march proceeded peacefully and was considered a success.
Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of the hard-left France Unbowed party, criticized the government's actions, suggesting that the country was moving toward a regime reminiscent of Vichy leader Philippe Petain's collaboration with the Nazis during World War II. Melenchon expressed his concern and urged caution.
During the rally, participants chanted "Justice for Nahel" before peacefully dispersing later in the afternoon.
Approximately 30 demonstrations against police violence were held across France, including in Marseille and Strasbourg. However, authorities in Lille banned a gathering from taking place.
Several trade unions, political parties, and associations had called on their supporters to join the march for Traore as France grapples with allegations of institutionalized racism within its police force following Nahel M.'s shooting on June 27.
Adama Traore, who was 24 years old at the time, died shortly after his arrest in 2016, triggering several nights of unrest reminiscent of the countrywide riots that occurred in the aftermath of Nahel's point-blank shooting.
In response to the situation, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), consisting of 18 independent experts, urged France on Friday to enact legislation that defines and prohibits racial profiling. The committee also raised concerns about the excessive use of force by law enforcement.
The foreign ministry, however, disputed what it deemed as "excessive" and "unfounded" remarks by the panel. The ministry asserted that ethnic profiling by law enforcement is banned in France and emphasized the government's intensified efforts to combat racial profiling.
Far-right parties have attributed the recent intense and widespread riots, the most significant since 2005, to mass migration and have called for stricter immigration policies.
According to official figures, more than 3,700 individuals have been taken into police custody in connection with the protests since Nahel's death, including at least 1,160 minors.