The Prefecture of Police in Paris has banned a demonstration called “Solidarity with the Palestinian people” organized by the New Anti-Capitalist Party (NPA) on Sunday at Place de la République, due to an investigation for condoning terrorism, it was learned on Friday.
The gathering, declared on Wednesday, was prohibited due to risks of public disorder, the prefecture announced, along with all pro-Palestinian demonstrations in France, following the surprise attack by the Islamist movement Hamas against Israel on Saturday, triggering a bloody war.
A statement by the NPA initiated the investigation.
Gérald Darmanin ordered on Thursday the prohibition of all “pro-Palestinian demonstrations, as they are likely to generate public disorder,” adding that “organizing these prohibited demonstrations should result in arrests.”
On Thursday, a banned demonstration in support of the Palestinians brought together around 3,000 people at Place de la République. In the early evening, the protesters were dispersed by tear gas and a water cannon. Around ten people were arrested.
The NPA, a far-left party, is the subject of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Brigade of the judicial police, seized by the national unit for combating online hate (PNLH) of the Paris prosecutor’s office. The investigation targets a statement by the NPA, issued on Saturday, reiterating “its support for the Palestinians and the means of struggle they have chosen to resist.”
