Clashes between anti-pass demonstrators and law enforcement at the Martinique University Hospital

Clashes between demonstrators opposed to the establishment of the health pass and the police took place Friday at the Martinique University Hospital, with three people arrested and four wounded gendarmes, said the prefecture.

The three individuals arrested, including two hospital workers, were released on Saturday after spending the night in police custody at the central police station in Fort-de-France.

No charges have yet been brought against them.

The prefect of Martinique, Stanislas Cazelles, and the director of the Regional Health Agency (ARS), Jérôme Viguier, strongly condemned the incidents that occurred at the CHU of Fort-de-France.

"In this period of health emergency, all efforts must converge on the fight against the spread of the virus," they recalled.

# COVID19 #PassSanitaire pic.twitter.com/KCfOrVQBKa

- Martinique University Hospital (@ CHUM972) October 8, 2021

In a statement, the management of the CHU called "calm" and condemned "strongly the violence perpetrated following the implementation of the health pass on its various sites".

Since Monday the health pass is indeed required for visitors and employees of the CHU.

Five trade unions assigned in summary proceedings

An inter-union made up of five organizations opposes the entry into force of this provision by disrupting control operations. Police and gendarmes are mobilized at the Pierre Zobda Quitman hospital to protect the employees of the company responsible for checking the health passes. The management of the Martinique CHU summoned five trade unions for "obstruction in the establishment of a legal obligation" and "serious harm to the health and safety of staff and users".

The hearing which was to be held on Friday morning was postponed to this Saturday morning.

The union lawyer has asked for the judge's recusal and hopes to get a postponement of the hearing.

At midday (Martinique time), dozens of demonstrators were in front of the Fort-de-France courthouse, awaiting a decision.