An Overview
Nearing the end of November, protests erupted all throughout Paris along with rallies held in Marseille, Lyon, Lille, and other French cities. According to BBC, “Clashes began after some in the crowd threw stones and fireworks at police. Cars and a newspaper kiosk were set on fire and dozens were arrested". The most recent reports of the protests estimated over 46,000 people gathered (Interior Ministry). Although the majority of people who gathered protested peacefully, small groups still clashed with the police occupied in the city.
Why are people protesting?
Recently, a draft security law was proposed that sparked a wave of anger. The bill, which was backed by the house of parliament, indicates that it would make it increasingly difficult for people to film police officers, “It aims to outlaw the publication of images with intent to cause harm to police. Critics fear it could erode media freedom and make it more difficult to expose police brutality. The provision caused such an uproar that the government has decided to rewrite it” (Associated Press). The government argues that this bill is not intended to hurt the people but simply to protect police officers. On the other hand, in the French weekly newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, many local elected officials announced their participation in the protests.
Article 24 would make it a criminal offense if images of on-duty police officers were published and were intended to harm their "physical or psychological integrity”. If one were to be found guilty of such, they could face up to a year in prison and be fined €45,000.
The Conflict
At first, protestors were restricted and could only occupy République Square, but they were later granted access to march from République to Bastille, as they requested. The administrative court allowed them access as this route is typical for protests in Paris. It has been reported that police have fired back at rioters with tear gas and multiple charges at troublemaking groups (ABC). There was even a group of “anarchists” that ransacked the branch office of a bank, continuously throwing heaps of paperwork into an outside fire. Water cannons were also used to spray remaining groups of protestors on Place de la Bastille.
As reported to CNN, Cecile Coudriou, president of Amnesty International France, explains, “If people cannot film anything in the streets when the police may sometimes have an illegal use of force, it's a very worrying message to send,”. She also noted that “citizens are asked to accept the possibility of being filmed under the pretext that they have nothing to fear if they have done nothing wrong” but on the other hand, the police refuse to be filmed, which is a democratic right.
The two arguments presented
The people:
This bill limits press/media freedom
The Government:
This bill is meant to ensure police safety as they are citizens too
In most recent news, LREM’s parliamentary leader, Christophe Castaner, announced there will be a proposed “complete new rewrite” of the disputed article. He states, “We know that doubts still persist" and "we must put out these doubts" because "when such a misunderstanding does not cease to intensify on such a fundamental subject, we have the duty to call ourselves into question collectively” (euro news).
How do you feel about this?
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