Thousands rally outside US embassy in Paris against police brutality in America & France (VIDEOS)
A huge crowd protested outside the US embassy in central Paris over George Floyd’s death and the brutality of law enforcement in France, in violation of the ban on public gatherings introduced by the French capital.
Several hundred people came to Place de la Concorde, not far from the US embassy and the French Presidential Palace, despite the city authorities banning the rally due to the Covid-19 pandemic and violent outbursts during a similar event mid-week.
Plusieurs dizaines de personnes ont réussit à atteindre la Place de la Concorde, malgré le dispositif de police important autour de la zone. Ils réclament justice pour Adama Traoré et George Floyde, décédés lors d’interpellations policières #BlackLivesMatter#JusticePourAdamapic.twitter.com/krEqsboK3C
— Nadège Abderrazak (@Nadege_RTFrance) June 6, 2020
The protesters carried signs, reading “Black Lives Matter” and “I can’t breathe,” referring to what happened to African American man George Floyd who died in late May after a Minneapolis police officer detaining him knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
“Justice for Adama” was also among the slogans chanted by the crowd. Adama Traore was a 24-year-old black man who died in French police custody in 2016. His case is still under investigation, but media reports claim that he was suffocated by officers as they tried to restrain him. Adama’s relatives already said that his death was the same as Floyd’s.
🔴Rassemblement contre les violences policières devant l’Ambassade des États-Unis à #Paris. Les #ChampsElysées totalement bouclés. Pour rappel, la manif est interdite par la préfecture. Un autre rassemblement est prévue à 17h au Champ-de-Mars.#BlackLivesMatter#GeorgeFloydpic.twitter.com/JoDLDqpKMu
— Charles Baudry (@CharlesBaudry) June 6, 2020
There was a heavy police presence in the area as law enforcement erected barriers to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the US embassy or President Emmanuel Macron’s residence.
Les forces de l’ordre font désormais face aux manifestants Place de la Concorde. #JusticePourAdama#BlackLivesMatter#6juinpic.twitter.com/pF3VASvDQ4
— Nadège Abderrazak (@Nadege_RTFrance) June 6, 2020
The protesters then moved to nearby Champ de Mars where their numbers increased and chanting continued at the foot of the Eiffel Tower
Champs de Mars, Paris. #BlackLivesMatter#JusticePourAdamapic.twitter.com/8v2Ez88Zzz
— Taha 📷 (@MTGphotographe) June 6, 2020
However, unlike Tuesday's rally, which was marred by clashes with police, this time the gatherings went on without serious incident.
Also on rt.com Fires & tear gas: Black Lives Matter march turns chaotic in Paris (VIDEO)Black Lives Matter protests also took place in other major cities across the globe on Saturday, including London, Berlin, Sydney, Tokyo and Seoul. The outrage over Floyd’s death has caused days of riots across the US, which saw clashes, buildings set on fire and large scale looting. The police have been using tear gas, rubber bullets and occasionally live fire against the protesters, but it has so far not been enough to curb the unrest.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!