Authorities had prohibited gatherings during this time of health crisis. But the collective "Marche des solidarités" had nevertheless publicly maintained its call to mobilization, calling for the wearing of a mask and to maintain social distancing throughout the demonstration in the streets of the capital.
The hundreds, even thousands, of demonstrators present this Saturday were indeed numerous to actually wear a mask. For social distancing, on the other hand, the troops seemed too numerous.
The march starts again! We are thousands 🔥
We are here, with #SansPapiers and nothing will stop us ✊ # MarcheDesSolidarités # 30maiSolidarites # 30mai pic.twitter.com/IEJUKRZqTX
In the middle of the demonstrators, the deputy for Bouches-du-Rhône François-Michel Lambert, who spoke and appeared on the front line of the demonstration. The former member of the LREM group in the Assembly said "demand the regularization of all undocumented migrants" to the cheers of the demonstrators.
Law enforcement intervention
Leaving from the Place de l'Opéra, the crowd then went to Place de la République, where a few incidents broke out. The police used tear gas. "It was an exemplary demonstration from the point of view of maintaining order, there was not a single trash overturned, assures Gilles, a doctoral student in geography, who came to affirm his support for undocumented migrants this Saturday. It is a pity that the police decided to gas and charge, when the atmosphere was pleasant ”.
PARIS - Tear gas used throughout the Place de la République. Current tensions. A helicopter flies over the area. pic.twitter.com/wyT8uy5mw4
- Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) May 30, 2020On social networks, the police have justified their interventions by the regulations in force during this health crisis, recalling on several occasions that gatherings of more than ten people are prohibited in public space. The police intervened on several other points of the capital, such as Madeleine or Voltaire.
The police intervened to disperse the crowds at # Opéra and #Voltaire, which were formed despite the ban on assembly. pic.twitter.com/DacoE44MC6
- Police Prefecture (@prefpolice) May 30, 2020
