Anger from the United States following the death of George Floyd, a black American killed by a white police officer on May 25, is spreading around the world. Last Tuesday, nearly 20,000 people gathered in front of the Paris judicial court against police violence and racism and in tribute to Adama Traoré, despite a last minute ban. This time the prefectural orders fell well upstream, Friday morning. Two rallies in tribute to George Floyd scheduled for Saturday afternoon in the capital have been banned.
>> READ ALSO - Minneapolis pays tribute to George Floyd, the curfew falls in several cities
Authorities fear thugs
The first reason is that the US Embassy is located Place de la Concorde, a highly sensitive area, close to the Elysée Palace and the National Assembly, traditionally prohibited from any demonstration. Added to this is the coronavirus crisis. Gatherings of more than ten people are still not allowed in Île-de-France, recalls the Prefecture which also fears overflows.
According to information from Europe 1, the police still expect the presence of almost 15,000 people, including 100 to 200 thugs and members of the ultra-left. A priori, they will not be pro-active, only prepositioned if it degenerates.
>> READ ALSO - Police violence, racism: can we compare the French and American situations?
Tuesday evening, the rally against police violence organized at the call of the collective Justice for Adama, in front of the Paris Court, had been mainly peaceful before clashes broke out during the dispersal. According to information from Europe 1, the authorities especially dread the presence on Saturday of very many young people, some of whom are not usually mobilized, and present for their first actions which could allow themselves to be embroiled in violence.