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French protesters rally for fifth Saturday against police 'license to kill' bill
Around 106,000 people across France protested the cost of living and a bill granting police a presumption of lawful self-defense when using their weapons. Police used tear gas in Paris and several cities, and more than 200 people were arrested.
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in France on Saturday for the fifth consecutive week. This time, their main demand was opposition to a bill that would presume police officers who use their weapons acted in self-defense, a provision critics describe as a "license to kill."
France's Interior Ministry said around 106,000 people took part in the demonstrations, including 24,000 in Paris, while student and youth unions estimated the turnout at 200,000.
"We are afraid when we come to demonstrations"
Supporters of the bill, including Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally, say it is necessary to prevent officers from automatically being suspected of using excessive force. Opponents say it would make it harder to open investigations and hold security forces accountable. Adrien, a 20-year-old cellist who took part in the Paris march, told France 24: "We are afraid when we come to demonstrations, and this will make us even more afraid if their immunity is strengthened."
Video from Paris showed thousands of protesters in Place de la République, where some climbed the monument in the square while carrying the French flag before the march set off toward Place de la Nation.
Tear gas and clashes
At the end of the march in Paris, police used tear gas and batons against a group that threw projectiles and bottles at officers. Clashes also occurred in Lyon, Nantes and Bordeaux, and a BFMTV crew was violently attacked by protesters in Lyon. In Marseille, thousands defied the ban and marched through the city center, prompting police to use water cannons.
The Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 219 people across the country, France 24 reported, after around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed. Lawyers said last week that police violence during recent protests had caused serious injuries to hands, feet and eyes.
From the cost of living to child protection
In addition to opposing the police bill, protesters demanded action on the cost of living, an increase in the education budget and protection for children from all forms of violence. Protesters in Paris held signs reading "We are in our own country too" and chanted, "Money for universities and high schools, not the police and the army."
The unions rejected the government's promise to raise the minimum wage by 0.6%, calling it "crumbs," and called for another day of strikes and demonstrations on Tuesday, November 17.
Video: Social media. Photos: Anadolu (Strasbourg), and FreCha / Wikimedia Commons (Paris)
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