The Techno Parade is set to return to Paris on Saturday, September 19, for its 26th edition. The event celebrates electronic music and is a response to growing government crackdowns on free parties—unofficial gatherings where people enjoy music without permits. Organizers expect around 300,000 people to participate in the parade, which will stretch from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation. This year’s event will highlight Detroit, the birthplace of techno music since the 1980s, with a special float featuring renowned DJs Minx and Kevin Saunderson. One of the parade’s key mottos is “Riposte to the Ripost Law,” a direct challenge to new legislation targeting free parties. The parade was absent for two years due to financial challenges, following the 2024 edition that was canceled because of the Paris Olympics. This year’s event will include a mix of radio broadcasts, community groups, club culture, and a bike parade to bring together various aspects of the electronic music scene. The return of the parade aims to mobilize people against what organizers see as increased repression of free parties, which have long been a cornerstone of electronic music culture in France. The “Ripost Law,” enacted this summer, makes it illegal to organize free parties, with penalties including up to two years in prison and a 30,000 euro fine for organizers. Attendees could face up to six months in prison and a 7,500 euro fine. Critics, including Tommy Vaudecrane, president of Technopol, argue the law is unrealistic and should be repealed. Recent enforcement of the law has led to incidents, such as a free party near Caen on September 12, where police used tear gas and other tactics, causing injuries to attendees, according to the Tekno Anti Répression collective. Technopol, a key organization in the electronic music scene, is pushing for negotiations between government ministries to replace prison sentences with more dialogue. They also note that French electronic music was recently added to the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2025. Meanwhile, the Freeform association, which supports free culture, criticizes the lack of communication between authorities and event organizers. They argue the law exacerbates tensions and could affect more than just free parties, as noted by Samuel Raymond of Freeform, who warns the law’s wording is too broad. While the free party movement remains active, some adherents of "tekno," a more libertarian and anti-commercial form of techno, are considering organizing their own demonstration in October.