About 20,000 protesters are expected on Saturday for a rally against racism in Paris ... and the authorities fear clashes. Many calls to demonstrate have been launched on social networks at the initiative of the collective La Vérité pour Adama and organizations such as the League for Human Rights. The gathering is authorized, unlike that organized a week before. On the other hand, that planned in Nantes was prohibited for fear of overflows.
Concerning Paris, Laurent Nuñez, Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior, said on Europe 1 Wednesday that the demonstration this weekend presented "no risk of disturbing public order". However, an important safety device has nevertheless been put in place.
Shops closed between République and Opéra
As during the Saturday demonstration of "yellow vests", shops, restaurants and drinking places will be closed tomorrow on the route of the procession. Between the Republic and the Opera, street furniture will also be removed so as not to serve as a projectile. The police prefecture fears of overflows and fears in particular the convergence of violent radicals, coming from different horizons: ultra-left, "yellow vests" or young people coming from sensitive districts.
>> Find all of Nathalie Levy's programs in replay and podcast here
Unlike last Saturday, where the demonstrations were static and circumscribed at the Place de la Concorde or at the Champ de Mars, and at the same time hypersecured, that of this Saturday is a mobile manifestation. It is therefore more at risk, with between 10,000 and 20,000 people expected. A week ago, protesters were only 5,000 according to the ministry.