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In an open letter addressed to the Rhône prefecture as part of the protest against the pension reform, the local inter-union decided to challenge the public authorities on the closure of rue de la Barre, whose dam is seriously disrupting the progress of processions of demonstrators in Lyon.
"
Since the start of these demonstrations, we have been alerting you to the consequences of this ban (from rue de la Barre, editor's note) on the safety of people.
Unfortunately, last Thursday proved us right, since we had two militants from our security service who were injured by the throwing of cobblestones at the exit of the bridge.
We believe that it is urgent to authorize access to the procession on rue de la Barre in order to make its progress more fluid and to prevent risks to people who could be more serious, ”
asked the inter-union.
For several weeks, the arrival of the head of the demonstration in this area has been the occasion for clashes between anti-fascist and anarchist militants and the police, who block the trade union procession on the Guillotière bridge.
Rue de la Barre was closed to protesters in 2018 after damage to the Hôtel-Dieu during a demonstration for May Day.
And its reopening is not relevant today, confides the prefecture: "
Given the violence of the past week, it would be very complicated to manage the situation if we opened the street
".
A dangerous area near the Rhône
The fact remains that between the Bellecour hopper and the proximity of the waters of the Rhône, this left turn towards the Antonin-Poncet square remains a very complicated point during each demonstration, in particular for the security service of the unions, sometimes obliged to move forward as projectiles rain down on the police and they retaliate with tear gas canisters.
According to a police source, the management of maintaining order in this sector is not the simplest: "
For the Rhône, there is a boat prepositioned by the firefighters and each maneuver is adjusted according to the risks. reflux
”.
Questioned by the Tribune de Lyon, the departmental director of public security for the Rhône, Nelson Bouard, assures "
that the use of force is progressive
" during the processions.
“
We never take the initiative.
It is only the response to the level and intensity of the aggression that is in front.
When very early, on March 23, the security forces began to receive very heavy and particularly hurtful projectiles, they were ordered to respond and defend themselves and to approach the most violent groups.
There is no question of suffering and seeing our police officers injured by the dozens
, ”he explained to our colleagues.
Proportionate responses?
On the union side, we also deplore the use of tear gas near FO and CFDT vehicles last Thursday on Place Bellecour.
“
While we strongly condemn the violence of certain individuals on the sidelines of our demonstrations, and if we have always responsibly organized the holding of our demonstrations, we alert you to the need for the police and the measures taken to really contribute to the security of people and that the responses are strictly proportionate
, ”they explain.
On the side of the services of the State, we assure to do the maximum not to target the unions: “
we are doing in the lace.
And as
for the example of the tear gas canisters used at Place Bellecour, it was a moment of confusion with many thugs, the unions were obviously not targeted
.
The prefecture also ensures that it is in "
constant dialogue, even during the processions
", with the organizers of the event.
According to the official count, in addition to the 58 minor injuries on the side of the police, eleven people were arrested last Thursday and nine demonstrators were injured.
