A feminist night march which took place on Saturday evening in Paris, ended in clashes with the police. While the images of police charges arouse excitement, especially on social networks, we take stock of this eventful evening.
On the eve of the great mobilization on March 8, on the occasion of the international day for women's rights, feminists wanted to show that the street, at night, belongs as much to women as to men.
Launched at 6.30 p.m. from Place des Fêtes in the 19th arrondissement, these walkers headed for Place de la République as planned. The demonstration had been declared to the Paris prefecture of police, therefore authorized. As it advanced, the procession fed, reaching several thousand people in Place de la République.
Refusal to disperse
"The demonstration had taken place generally in peace, except when the police had to intervene to prevent degradations" or when insults launched at the police officers were pronounced. Then a call for dispersal was launched around 10 p.m. as planned but, a police source assured us, it was not followed up.
Two hours after the end signal, the demonstrators stagnated in the square. "When groups tried to go on a wild protest to the south, they were pushed back to the Place de la République with gas," the source continues.
It is in this context that the police have therefore charged, under the eye of the cameras, in particular that of the journalist Rémy Buisine.
Police charge towards the feminist procession in République. Women resist by pushing back the shields of the police. pic.twitter.com/yeEI4k8EHU
- Remy Buisine (@RemyBuisine) March 7, 2020The collective “Nous Tous” denounced these clashes: “feminist activists charged and violently arrested by the police. […] We are swimming in delirium ”.
[TW] Feminist activists charged and violently arrested by the police during the #Women's Night Walk. A few hours before March 8. We are swimming in delirium. 😡 https://t.co/rzIEGgvqVd
- #NousToutes (@NousToutesOrg) March 7, 2020Newsletter - The essentials of the news
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Caroline de Haas called on Sunday morning Emmanuel Macron, Christophe Castaner, the Minister of the Interior, and Marlène Schiappa, Secretary of State for Equality between women and men. "How could you give such instructions," she questions.
Last night, feminists were hit by the police when they demonstrated - in particular - against sexual violence. @ EmmanuelMacron, @CCastaner, @MarleneSchiappa, how could you give such instructions? #Marchefeministe
- Caroline De Haas (@carolinedehaas) March 8, 2020Marlène Schiappa replied in the morning: "All women must be able to demonstrate peacefully to have their rights respected! Minister Christophe Castaner requested a report from the police headquarters on what happened on the sidelines of the feminist march, ”she wrote.
All women must be able to demonstrate peacefully to uphold their rights!
Minister @CCastaner asked the Prefecture of Police for a report on what happened on the sidelines of the #feminist march
According to the Paris police headquarters, nine people were arrested for participating in a group with a view to committing degradations or violence, projectile throwing and / or contempt. Among them, seven were placed in police custody.