The Council of State restores the freedom to demonstrate, while respecting barrier gestures

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The Council of State, the highest French jurisdiction, lifted this Saturday June 13 the ban on gatherings of more than ten people, imposed as part of the state of health emergency. It thus re-establishes the freedom to demonstrate, while respecting "barrier measures".

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As part of the state of health emergency established to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic, the decree issued on May 31 prohibited gatherings, meetings or activities bringing together more than ten people in public space . Various associations and unions then asked the summary judge of the Council of State to suspend this ban.

He agreed with them this Saturday by referring to the fact that the High Council for Public Health does not recommend any restriction on movement in public space as long as the "barrier measures" are respected. It is therefore possible to demonstrate if we respect the social distance of one meter, that we wear a mask. Also on condition that the event does not bring together more than 5,000 people.

“  It's a very big victory. The Council of State guarantees the freedom to demonstrate  ”, reacted to Agence France-Presse Patrice Spinosi, lawyer of the League for Human Rights (LDH), requesting alongside the CGT and the Syndicate of the judiciary. “  There was no reason why the freedom to demonstrate should be treated less well than the freedom of worship. We can just regret that this comes so late,  "he added, adding that the LDH had seized the Council of State urgently"  a fortnight ago  ".

It remains to be seen whether the conditions put forward by the Council of State are met at the time the event is held. What if the slogan ultimately attracts many more people than the 5,000 authorized demonstrators? And how to reconcile the wearing of the mask recommended by the State Council and the ban made by the government to fight against thugs? The health imperative finds itself confronted with the security concern.

The decision of the highest French court comes as thousands of people demonstrated this Saturday in France against racism and police violence. In Paris, the march, not authorized by the prefecture, was blocked at its starting point and tensions erupted, the crowd booing the police.

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