Demonstration in Nice: nearly 1,000 people in the streets on this October 24th afternoon

Despite the prefectural ban on demonstrations this Saturday, October 24, new gatherings against the cost of living took place in Nice. Several hundred people gathered at Place Masséna before being dispersed by law enforcement. A procession then headed towards the Promenade des Anglais, while a significant police presence was deployed in the city center.

A week after the disturbances on October 17, mobilization against the cost of living resumed in Nice on Saturday, October 24. Calls to demonstrate had circulated on social media, despite the ban on demonstrations, processions and gatherings in the Alpes-Maritimes by prefectural decree, from 8 a.m. to midnight.

From midday onwards, law enforcement was deployed in the city center of Nice to enforce this ban and protect businesses. Several stores on Avenue Jean-Médecin had taken precautions since the evening before. Shopkeepers barricaded their establishments, lowered their shutters or hired private security agents.

450 national police officers deployed in Nice, gatherings dispersed at Place Masséna

At 11:45 a.m., the mayor of Nice, Éric Ciotti, went to meet the municipal police officers mobilized for this day. The security operation was then reinforced in the city center, with riot police, municipal police patrols and unmarked vehicles.

In total, 450 national police officers were deployed alongside 310 municipal police officers. A RAID armored vehicle, a water cannon from the riot police, and units from the national gendarmerie’s security and intervention forces completed the operation.

The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes announced 26 arrests after the discovery of protective gear against tear gas.

Around 2 p.m., several hundred protesters against the cost of living gathered at Place Masséna. The unauthorized gathering was quickly surrounded by riot police. A water cannon, arrived from Lyon, had also been deployed there. This armored vehicle, with a capacity of over 6,000 liters, is intended notably for riot control operations.

Law enforcement dispersed the protesters present at Place Masséna. Several hundred people were evacuated calmly.

Mobilization continued, however, in the streets of the city center. At 2:40 p.m., an impromptu procession headed towards the Promenade des Anglais. Fifteen minutes later, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture estimated the number of protesters in Nice’s streets at approximately 1,000.

On the Promenade des Anglais, the riot police warned the participants: “We will use force.” Some of the protesters, initially gathered at Place Masséna, then headed to the Promenade des Anglais.

This new mobilization comes in a context of heightened vigilance by authorities, a week after the looting and damage that occurred in Nice during the October 17 day against the cost of living.