Police violence: the police angry with Christophe Castaner

Angry police after Christophe Castaner's announcements parade on the Champs-Elysées on June 12, 2020. REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes

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The call to order by Christophe Castaner concerning racism in the police went badly on the side of the police unions. The Minister of the Interior received them for two days, but their anger did not subside.

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Police unions have called various protests over the weekend. Since Thursday, they have multiplied actions. Descending the Champs-Elysées this Friday June 12 in the morning or throwing handcuffs on the ground, a symbolic gesture that seems to have marked the spirits on the side of the Minister of the Interior.

The police unions denounce "this climate of suspicion" which weighs on their profession. They seem to have been let go by Christophe Castaner, particularly on the issue of police violence. They threaten to strike and to stop all arrests.

Grégory Joron, deputy secretary general of the union SGP Police FO unit

RFI

Christophe Castaner recognized a blunder of language when he asked, in the event of "proven suspicion" of racism, a suspension of the official concerned. For the Minister, this provisional suspension can only intervene in the event of proven facts.

Castaner under pressure

Calls for the resignation of Christophe Castaner are also increasing among political opponents. Marine Le Pen castigated the "  recurrent abandonment  " of the police. Eric Ciotti of the Republicans believes that there is a "  total break  " between the minister and the police.

Chrisophe Castaner is therefore under pressure. This anger of the police intervenes moreover even when many demonstrations against police violence are planned this Saturday everywhere in France. The authorities plan in particular to a large rally in Paris. Between 10,000 and 20,000 demonstrators are expected at 2:30 p.m. on Place de la République, according to the Paris police headquarters.

Gatherings all over France

In a statement, the prefect of police Didier Lallement recalled that gatherings of more than 10 people were not allowed, and invited traders on the route of the demonstration to close for the duration of the afternoon . However, rallies are tolerated, said the Minister of the Interior during his speech earlier this week. Christophe Castaner had then tried to respond to the demands of the demonstrators by declaring that it was necessary to apply a zero tolerance vis-à-vis racism in the police.

The Adama Traore committee, which had already gathered 20,000 demonstrators in front of the Paris court on June 2,  calls on its side "  all the cities of France to come and demonstrate with them to demand truth and justice for Adama and all the victims of the police or gendarmerie  ”. Other gatherings are expected, especially in Marseille, from the Old Port we will be there, in Lyon place Bellecour, in Montpellier, in Nantes as well as in Strasbourg this Sunday.

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  • France
  • Justice
  • Christophe Castaner

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