After a first warm-up round on November 24 in front of the building of the prefecture of Côte-d’Or in Dijon, several associations called for a “massive and peaceful” demonstration this Sunday, December 5, at the Place de la République in Dijon. Our live and our photos. Update: Protesters have joined Place Wilson.
Among the signatories of the call for the withdrawal of the law on comprehensive security currently being examined by the two parliamentary chambers, we find associations, unions and political parties: the League of Human Rights, Amnesty international Dijon, SOS Racisme, ATTAC, the CGT 21, the FSU 21, ATTAC, La France Insoumise, the PS of Dijon, the PCF of Côte-d’Or, the NPA or even Génération.s (read the press release).
Article 24 penalizing the “malicious” dissemination of images of agents of the internal security forces crystallized anger from the start of the examination of the law. While he promised a commission to rewrite this article, the Prime Minister is now facing the ire of senators putting forward their prerogative on the drafting of articles in the context of legislative work. The signatories of the call to demonstrate claim, for their part, the possibility of “citizen control” of the action of the police or gendarmes.
Other provisions do not pass to the eyes of the demonstrators: facial recognition linked to the use of mobile cameras of members of the security forces, use of drones to monitor demonstrations or even delegation to private companies of missions under the federal police.
To limit possible overflows, the prefecture of Côte-d’Or took two orders this Friday evening (read the press release). One forbids the city center to any demonstration for the day of this Saturday. The other prohibits, throughout the weekend and for the entire department, the use of devices and products that can be used as weapons by destination: fireworks, smoke, acid and fuel cans.
Jean-Christophe Tardivon and Alix Berthier
JC Tardivon photographs
The live event:
2:47 p.m.: around 1,000 people gathered on the Place de la République. Yellow vests speak out through an anti-mask, anti-pedocriminality, anti-dictatorship, anti-global security law statement …
“Today, serious things are happening in France and around the world … Humans by the thousands are fed up with the dictatorship that is taking hold everywhere, in this capitalist world. We are tired of seeing people starving outside, we are tired of hearing stories of child crime. We are out for all this today … The global security law is an entry point to all this. We only have one word: our freedom. We don’t want this world anymore. Today, we have to have three certificates to come and demonstrate, this is not normal. We must be aware of this today because tomorrow will be too late… We move and that is what is important ”, declared in particular“ a citizen demonstrator ”.
“It’s been two years that we’ve spent in the street, walking, chanting slogans, answering questions, giving crisp images too, debating all over France… Unfortunately, many have left members there, money, time, their work sometimes, and often their family… So what’s the point of what we’re doing? What impact have we had? Are we going to continue following the same patterns for two years? You know as well as I do that the Macron government takes advantage of the slightest opportunity to tighten our chains. And already before his arrival, since 2015! All this is allowed because we are not in a democracy. It is the cause of the causes. The Constitution, they reduced its meaning so that we are not interested in it… The key is there! If we had only one demand, ONE only: the modification and collective validation of our constitution! ”Declared a second speaker.
3:03 p.m .: the procession sets off on Boulevard Thiers with representatives of political parties in the lead in particular. “Global security, we don’t want it!”, We can hear, as well as anti-capitalist slogans or “yellow vests, we are here!”. Apart from a few firecrackers and smoke, the parade goes calmly.
3.35 p.m .: The demonstrators arrived on Place Wilson. “There is only one solution: the Revolution!”, We heard in the procession during the course. We approach the 2,000 demonstrators (1,200 to 1,500 according to the LDH, 1,800 according to the prefecture) … Some demonstrators (200 people) try to continue by the rue Chabot Charny. They are repelled by tear gas from the police. Garbage cans set on fire and mortar fire.
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