Thousands protest in Paris against law presuming police use of force is lawful

On Sunday, a march in Paris attracted several thousand people, including left-wing parliamentarians and magistrates’ union representatives, to denounce a draft law that would automatically deem police and gendarmerie use of firearms as lawful. Lawmaker Mathilde Panot described the text as a “permit to kill” and called for its defeat, while activist Samia El Khalfaoui listed victims from disadvantaged neighborhoods. The bill, approved by the National Assembly, would reverse the burden of proof in cases of police-firearm use and now heads to the Senate.

Across France, a hundred rallies were scheduled in cities such as Marseille, Lyon and Lille, and dozens of actions in towns like Rennes, where 2,000 protesters gathered, eight people were detained and three police officers were injured by projectiles. The interior minister asked local officials to remain especially vigilant, citing concerns over possible incidents. A petition against the legislation has gathered over 700,000 signatures.