Protest in Lyon turns violent

A high school protest in Lyon on Tuesday escalated into violence, with members of the SNES-FSU union reporting they were struck by CRS (Républicain Civil et de Sécurité) police forces. The demonstration, which aimed to demand more resources for education, saw 11,000 people marching through the city.

Union banner confiscated during protest

According to the SNES-FSU union, a large white banner bearing the message "To improve the school, you do not have our trust" was confiscated by CRS during the protest. The union claims this was an act of aggression, though the Rhone prefecture disputes this account.

Union members injured by police

Thomas Gathier, a departmental secretary of SNES-FSU, reported that he and two other union members were struck with batons by CRS officers. Gathier said he was physically unharmed but expressed concern for the more seriously injured members, who went to the hospital to document their injuries and possibly file a complaint.

Prefecture cites black bloc violence

The Rhone prefecture attributed the escalation to the presence of a black bloc, a group known for using violence during protests. The prefecture stated that CRS officers had "frayed nerves" due to prior violence and struggled to manage the situation when unionists did not immediately comply with dispersal orders.

Banner removed to allow police intervention

The prefecture explained that the union banner was moved aside to allow security forces to intervene against the black bloc. The banner was reportedly removed and left in place, not taken as a symbolic act of confrontation but to facilitate police operations.

Protest ended due to safety concerns

The prefecture stated that the decision to end the demonstration was made due to the scale of violence, including attacks on police, damage to property, and an attack on a gas station. These factors were deemed a serious threat to public safety, prompting authorities to conclude the protest.