The Paris Administrative Court has confirmed, on Saturday, October 28, 2023, the ban on the pro-Palestinian demonstration scheduled for today, according to the Paris Police Prefecture. This decision was made before the filing of an urgent freedom appeal by two lawyers. Is this enough to prevent any gathering? The Police Prefecture considers the route to be risky.
In response, Laurent Nuñez’s services immediately reacted, “Today’s demonstration starting from Châtelet has been banned by a prefectural order, confirmed by the courts. It cannot take place. You risk being arrested and/or fined.” However, on social media, messages were circulating before the decision was announced, urging the demonstration to take place regardless.
The Police Prefecture is also concerned about “wild gatherings.” According to intelligence information seen by Europe 1, between 10,000 and 15,000 people could participate in this demonstration. The authorities are worried about the route because the protesters would pass through Sébastopol and Strasbourg Saint-Denis boulevards before heading towards République. This route includes several “Jewish places of worship” such as synagogues and the Israeli center in Montmartre, which could be targeted.
This aspect is also taken into account by the Administrative Court, which reminds that the demonstration was supposed to pass through the Marais and Sentier neighborhoods, where a significant Jewish community is located, along with cultural and religious Jewish sites. Moreover, “the routes taken have numerous shops and are particularly crowded on a Saturday afternoon.”
According to Europe 1, the Prefecture is also concerned about this route due to the population frequenting these neighborhoods: many “unaccompanied minors, marginalized individuals, but also a large Muslim population.”
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