The demonstration called this Saturday in the French city of Lyon in tribute to Quentin Deranque, the young member after receiving a beating by far-left militants, has passed relatively calmly thanks to the strong police force deployed. There was no physical violence, as there were no fights, but there was verbal violence, with Nazi salutes and racist insults from several protesters, according to the authorities’ complaint to the Prosecutor’s Office.
It was feared that the demonstration could lead to clashes between ultra groups on both sides, since some of the seven [Joven Guardia]a far-left movement dissolved by the authorities last year and linked to the leftist party of France Insoumise (LFI), of Jean-Luc Mélenchon. One of those arrested was a parliamentary assistant to Raphaël Arnault, an LFI deputy.
The march began shortly after 3:00 p.m. and, according to the prefecture of the Rhône department, the Government Delegation of the area to which the city of Lyon belongs, 3,200 protesters participated. It is slightly more than expected by the Ministry of the Interior, which expected between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees. There was only one arrest, at least until the end of the march, for carrying a hammer and a knife.
Although political slogans had been prohibited, the prefecture has denounced that, during the mobilization, there were Nazi salutes and also racist insults against Arabs and homophobes. The Prosecutor’s Office has been notified of what happened so that it can be investigated. In order to identify possible troublemakers, the presence of drones was authorized, and any demonstration outside the authorized itinerary, of around a kilometer and a half, was also prohibited.
The family of the deceased has decided not to participate to avoid a possible escalation of violence and requested, through their lawyers, that the tribute be celebrated “peacefully and without any political expression.”
Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally party (RN), asked his members not to attend because there would be “participants linked to the far right” with whom, he said, RN does not want to associate.
The march was authorized despite the risk, as reported this Saturday by Manuel Bompard, coordinator of La Francia Insumisa. The mayor of Lyon, environmentalist Grégory Doucet, previously demanded that the prefecture not authorize the event, given the “risk” of “violent clashes.” “We don’t want Lyon to be a city linked to the extreme right,” Doucet declared before the march began. “This is the city of Jean Moulin, the capital of the resistance,” he said, referring to this figure of the clandestine groups against the Nazis in World War II.
The Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, authorized the tribute, called on social networks. Lyon is a city with a strong presence of far-right groups and the ministry anticipated the presence of militants arriving from abroad, especially from Italy. Rallies have been held in some cities, such as Rennes, although with very residual support.
To prevent riots, security had been reinforced in transport and at stations, as confirmed by the prefect of Rhone, Fabienne Buccio. Faced with criticism for the fact that the demonstration was authorized, he explained that the device was “adapted to the situation.” To avoid confrontations within the march, but also an eventual counter-demonstration by the extreme left.
Deranque’s death highlights the current climate of polarization and political violence in France, in the midst of the municipal elections campaign, which will take place in mid-March.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for calm hours before the march. “The Government is vigilant so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Above all, it is a moment of reflection and respect for our young compatriot who died. [de forma violenta] and for his family. And then it will be time to demand responsibilities,” Macron said early in the morning, during the inauguration of the Agriculture Show in Paris.
The French leader has announced that he will meet this week with the head of the Interior and the competent ministers to “do a review of all the violent groups that operate.” [en el país] and they are linked to political parties, regardless of their affiliation.” Jordan Bardella, in the midst of the political battle surrounding Deranque’s death, has said that if he is ever president, he will dissolve all radical groups, left and right.
