Approximately 300 people gathered in Saint-Pierre for the Gilets Jeunes movement, criticizing the Bernard Hayot group and colonialism, with heightened police presence.
Gilets Jeunes demonstration in Saint-Pierre
On Saturday, October 24, around 300 people gathered in Saint-Pierre for the second act of the Gilets Jeunes movement, a protest group that began in France and has since spread to other regions.Protest themes and targets
The event featured a mix of social demands, anti-colonial slogans, and criticism of the Bernard Hayot group, a major retail and real estate company on the island of La Réunion. Participants also expressed concerns about colonial history and local governance.Increased police presence
Law enforcement presence was notably higher compared to the previous week, with more gendarmerie vehicles and personnel visible at key locations such as Banks Boulevard and near the Basse-Terre district.Unconfirmed gathering and shift in location
An appeal to gather starting at 6 a.m. in front of commercial centers owned by the Bernard Hayot group had circulated, but no gathering was visible at that hour at the Carrefour de Canabady in Saint-Pierre. Demonstrators eventually gathered at the roundabout known as "Macdo," similar to the previous week.Demonstrators and signs
A group of about thirty people gathered at the roundabout, with discussions ongoing but the outcome uncertain. A man held up a sign reading: "Macron, you are a Führer." Other demonstrators arrived gradually, holding signs with messages like "Colon déor" and "GBH Dèor."Protest movement and route
By the height of the day, the gathering reached approximately 300 people. The demonstrators began by blocking the roundabout by walking, before heading toward the Canabady commercial area. The procession included criticism of the Bernard Hayot group and references to local and national issues.Incident with a vehicle
At the roundabout serving Carrefour and Decathlon, the demonstrators decided to block its access. A white SUV attempted to force its way through, with two demonstrators in front of the vehicle when its driver accelerated. One demonstrator's arm hit the windshield, which shattered, leading to a tense exchange.Continuation of the demonstration
The incident did not end the mobilization, and the procession resumed, leaving the driver facing his damaged windshield. The injured demonstrator also resumed the march. The route continued toward the coast via Luc Lorion Street, as the previous week, with increased police presence near certain locations.Atmosphere and music
At the entrance to the Canabady commercial center, four police officers filtered the access. For the rest, the procession continued in music, accompanied by a band and notably by an anthem that marked the journey: "Down with the police state." The demonstrators danced and spoke, with no other incidents recorded on the route.Contrast with previous reports
This atmosphere contrasts with the reports of violence relayed during the week by the state services. It also invites a distinction between the course of the demonstration and the events that occurred during the night of October 23 to 24. In a statement titled Urban Violence: Summary of the Night, the prefecture of La Réunion reported "a few trash and vegetation fires recorded in several sectors of the island."
