In heavy protest against police violence in Paris, the police used tear gas against demonstrators. Thousands of protesters are also in other cities in France against a law that prohibits the publishing of video images of officers. Tempers are running high after the heavy violence earlier this week by four police officers against a Parisian music producer who did not wear a mouth mask.
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Police used tear gas after protesters fired fireworks at law enforcement and started throwing stones. Various barricades have also been erected. Riots also broke out in the Breton city of Rennes.
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In dozens of cities such as Marseille, Strasbourg and Lyon, thousands of protesters are protesting against police brutality and a new law banning the publication of video footage of officers. Opponents speak of, among other things, an infringement of the freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Journalist organizations and trade unions are also opposed to the new law.
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A large majority of parliament voted in favor of the controversial ban this week. As a result, the distribution of images with identifiable police officers becomes a crime if the distributor has the malicious intention to harm an agent. According to the government, the amendment wants to better protect the police, for example by curbing the distribution of video images of police operations.
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Activists have long complained that the police are cracking down and fear that abuse of power will soon remain with impunity. Now images can expose abuses. The same happened this week when a news site released images from a security camera showing several police officers at the entrance of the studio beating a music producer for minutes.
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Four officers have been suspended after the images surfaced. The French authorities will investigate the incident further. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told channel France 2 that if the allegations were confirmed, the agents should be dismissed by disciplinary measures.
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