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In Pictures: New protests in France against security bill

Demonstrators march across the country to denounce a security bill critics say will restrict the filming of police.

Demonstrators, most wearing masks to protect against COVID-19, during a protest against the controversial security bill in Paris. [Christophe Ena/AP Photo]
Demonstrators, most wearing masks to protect against COVID-19, during a protest against the controversial security bill in Paris. [Christophe Ena/AP Photo]
17 Jan 2021
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Tens of thousands of protesters marched across France to denounce a security bill that would restrict the filming of police and posting of images on social media, something critics say would impact the ability to document cases of police brutality.

Protesters are also against the use of ramped-up surveillance tools such as drones and pedestrian cameras.

Thousands marched in Paris and cities across France on Saturday, estimates of the turnout varying widely between the authorities and activists. Police put the total turnout across the country at 34,000, while organisers insisted it was closer to 200,000.

In Paris, marchers came out despite a rare snowfall, carrying banners with slogans such as “Police everywhere, justice nowhere”, and “State of emergency, police state.”

“It’s a strange dictatorship, one asks how far they will go with this law,” said one marcher in the northern city of Lille, who identified himself only by his first name, Francois. “If this is the case in the country of the rights of man and freedom, then I’m ashamed to be French!”

Police arrested 75 people across the country, 24  in Paris, said Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin, while 12 police officers and paramilitary officers were injured in clashes.

Music producer Michel Zecler being beaten by police officers at the entrance of his music studio in Paris on November 21, 2020 [Michel Zecler/ GS Group/AFP)
Several incidents of “disproportionate” police responses fuelled protesters’ anger, such as police actions when they broke up an illegal New Year’s rave in Brittany, which attracted some 2,400 people.

Footage of white policemen beating an unarmed Black music producer in his Paris studio on November 21, 2020, also amplified anger over the legislation, condemned by many as signalling a lurch towards the right by President Emmanuel Macron.

Other recent incidents caught on camera include the violent tear-down of a refugee campy in the iconic Place de la République by Paris police in November last year.

Police officers walk alongside protesters during the march against a proposed security law in Paris. [Lewis Joly/AP Photo]
Police officers walk alongside protesters during the march against a proposed security law in Paris. [Lewis Joly/AP Photo]
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Estimates of the turnout varied widely between the authorities and activists. [Lewis Joly/AP Photo]
Estimates of the turnout varied widely between the authorities and activists. [Lewis Joly/AP Photo]
Critics say the controversial security bill would restrict people's ability to document incidents of police brutality. [Lewis Joly/AP Photo]
Critics say the controversial security bill would restrict people's ability to document incidents of police brutality. [Lewis Joly/AP Photo]
Police officers watch as protesters march in Paris. The protesters are also against the use of ramped-up surveillance tools. [Christophe Ena/AP Photo]
Police officers watch as protesters march in Paris. The protesters are also against the use of ramped-up surveillance tools. [Christophe Ena/AP Photo]
A person holds a banner that reads: "In prison for dancing on New Years Eve." [Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters]
A person holds a banner that reads: "In prison for dancing on New Years Eve." [Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters]
Police arrested 75 people across the country, 24 in Paris. [Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters]
Police arrested 75 people across the country, 24 in Paris. [Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters]
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The "marches for freedom" were called by an umbrella group that includes Amnesty International and several unions. [Christophe Ena/AP Photo]
The "marches for freedom" were called by an umbrella group that includes Amnesty International and several unions. [Christophe Ena/AP Photo]

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