Night of Riots and Looting Raises Tension in Lyon Conurbation

Par Nicholas Zaugra
Published on 2 Jul 23 at 12:24 See my news Follow Actu Lyon Fireworks mortars used in Vénissieux, in the Lyon urban area, Saturday July 1, 2023. (©DR)

Calmer but still under high tension: the inhabitants and traders of the Lyon conurbation had prepared for a new night of riots and looting Saturday evening after that of Friday.

The massive police force deployed in the Lyon city center probably deterred the thugs. The Raid, the BRI and the CRS8 specially sent as reinforcements on Saturday by the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin crisscrossed Place Bellecour and Rue de la République where many businesses were protected by wooden plaques.

The police made a few arrests in the Bellecour sector after the beginnings of tension. Some young people were arrested in possession of fireworks mortars.

38 arrests overnight

In total in the Lyon conurbation 38 people were arrested overnight in Lyon or in Vénissieux, 35 are in police custody on Sunday July 2. 17 police officers and gendarmes are injured after another night of violence.

There is no looting according to the Rhône prefecture, which announces “attempts to damage but often stopped extremely quickly”.

An armored Raid vehicle parked on Place de la République in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon. (©Ludivine Caporal / actu Lyon) A Nature et Découvertes store barricaded itself late on rue de la République on Saturday evening July 1st. (©Ludivine Corporal / news Lyon)

Clashes took place in Vénissieux, where CRS were targeted, and in Givors. The Raid was deployed in Vénissieux and a gendarmerie helicopter flew over the town several times.

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Violence also took place in the 8th arrondissement of Lyon.

National Gendarmerie armored vehicles were positioned in front of the Vaulx-en-Velin media library to protect it from any damage.

Malls closed, no curfew

Even if the violence was less intense in Lyon this Saturday, the atmosphere was heavy throughout the agglomeration in the face of the risk of riots. The major shopping centers closed at 6 p.m., such as Part-Dieu, Confluence and Ecully Grand Ouest. The Carré de Soie center in Vaulx-en-Velin even closed at noon.

Cinemas, restaurants and bars preferred to close on Saturday evening to avoid being targeted. The municipality of Lyon, which called for immediate reinforcements, had decided to cancel events of the Entre Rhône et Saône festival which ends this Sunday.

The advisability of a curfew in Lyon is not on the agenda according to Mayor Grégory Doucet who refuses to take such a measure, returning the responsibility to the State. Prefect Fabienne Buccio assured Lyon news “do nothing forbid” in the event of repeated riots.

Emmanuel Macron must take stock of the situation this Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Elysée.

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2023-07-02 22:28:06
#Riots #quieter #night #center #Lyon #violence