This time, the Paris Police Prefecture gives its green light. After experiencing a setback from the administrative court, which had given its approval for a pro-Palestine demonstration on Thursday, October 19, at Place de la République, Prefect Laurent Nuñez has this time authorized a gathering. It is scheduled for Sunday, October 22, in the afternoon at Place de la République in Paris, from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
“The calls for demonstration tomorrow (Sunday) condemn the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas. The declared gathering at Place de la République can therefore take place,” said the police prefecture to AFP.
“A security device will be put in place to supervise the demonstration and ensure that it takes place under good conditions. No overflow will be tolerated,” it added.
In an order to authorize the use of drones, the Paris Police Prefecture states its expectation of the presence of several thousand demonstrators: “there are serious risks of confrontations between radical elements and the police; there are also risks of the formation of wild processions on the sidelines of the demonstration that could cause serious disruptions to public order.”
Prefects must assess on a case-by-case basis.
The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, had asked prefects on October 12th to ban “pro-Palestinian demonstrations, as they are likely to generate disturbances to public order.” The Council of State considered it to be a matter for prefects to assess the situation on a case-by-case basis.
On Thursday, after the decision of the administrative court, he reacted: “if it is to demand a Palestinian state, to have thoughts for civilians, there is no problem. I think that the timing, too close to the terrorist attack in Israel, made things potentially difficult in terms of public order. (…) I sincerely hope that this demonstration will be for Palestine and not fueled by hatred towards Jews.”
Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by signing up for Mon Actu.
