Riots and Revolution in Paris

13.06.2020. I attended a protest against racism and police brutality in La République, Paris. The event was led by a group of activists including Assa Traoré, whose brother Adama was murdered by police in Paris in 2016. While media sources state that there was 15,000 protestors, the true figure could be over 50,000. The event, deemed illegal during times of pandemic, was due to start at 2pm and feature a march to Opéra. Within two hours the Place de la République had been completely surrounded; police barricaded all exits, with metal grates or the CRS - the riot police, equipped with thick body armour, shields, gas masks, helmets and visors, and of course the baton. Before arriving, we paced nervously past hundreds of them, laughing together. 

For four hours or so we waited, shouted, listened; tension slowly increased and people were getting nervous. A huge counter movement banner was released from a roof - mentioning anti-white racism - until neighbours of the same building tore it down, ripping it and casting pieces into the crowd. The sea of people roared with ecstasy when the old man, who tore the banner apart, joined the protest from the rooftop. 

All the while you could hear the police’s relentless push back against the demonstrators - the bangs of military grade equipment grew closer. The Peloton de Voltigeur Motoporté (PVM) - the most violent, hated and unaccountable of Paris’ many forms of police, pictured above - were present at the demonstration and individuals are asking for video footage of the physical abuse they endured; one man reportedly has had to receive five stitches to the head. 

When the tear gas was fired into the centre of the square, chaos engulfed the movement; franticly people fled in all directions, all leading into police walls. Tear gas hurts your eyes and skin, inhibits your ability to breathe and creates sheer panic.

Four years ago Assa Traoré began campaigning for justice surrounding her brother’s death, and for four years the individuals responsible for his murder have been shielded by the state and police institution, worse still while speaking she said they have received promotions. Their names are not accessible, perhaps never will be.

#JusticePourAdama

#Laisseznousrespirer