The mobilization organized in Nice this Saturday, October 24 was marked by interventions from riot police, tear gas fire and several uses of water cannons. At the end of the day, clashes opposed protesters to far-right activists. In total, 61 people were arrested, including 11 members of the far-right. Two police officers were injured.
More than 2,000 people gathered in several locations in Nice this Saturday, October 24, despite the prefectural ban on demonstrations and gatherings. The first protesters began to gather around 2:30 PM near Place Masséna, where a significant police presence had been deployed.
Law enforcement quickly pushed back the groups present. The procession then moved towards the Promenade des Anglais, despite the ban on demonstrations, before circulating through several streets in the city center, notably Rue de France, Boulevard Victor-Hugo and the Old Town. Protesters also attempted to approach City Hall.
The mobilization initially proceeded without any damage to shops. However, the situation became tense from mid-afternoon, with repeated interventions by riot police to disperse groups. From 4 PM onwards, law enforcement regularly used tear gas.
A water cannon vehicle (ELE) was also used several times. This armored CRS vehicle, with a capacity of 6,000 liters, was accompanied by about ten police officers responsible for its security. Interventions continued in several sectors of the city center.
Another demonstration of approximately 500 people also set off from Boulevard Victor Hugo.
Clashes with far-right activists and three injured
Tensions took on another dimension late afternoon with the presence of far-right activists in the streets of Nice. Around 4:30 PM, a group headed between the port and Avenue Borriglione. Its members applauded law enforcement while singing La Marseillaise and then Nissa la Bella, as can be seen in a video filmed by our colleagues at Ici Azur before leaving. The group was then blocked in the Liberation sector.
Early evening, several clashes opposed protesters to far-right activists in the city center. New tensions were notably reported in the area of the Post Office Hotel where firefighters are currently intervening. According to information communicated during the day, approximately 300 protesters were confronted by about fifty far-right activists.
Police intervened to disperse the groups and make arrests. Eleven far-right members were arrested. Three people were also injured during the clashes and treated by emergency services. According to the prefecture, the injuries were minor. It specifies that two police officers were injured.
In total, 61 people were arrested in Nice during the day, including 11 members of the far-right.
Nearly 600 police officers and gendarmes mobilized in the Alpes-Maritimes
The authorities had planned a significant security operation to oversee this day of mobilization. Nearly 600 national police officers and gendarmes were mobilized in the Alpes-Maritimes, including 450 in Nice. Over 300 municipal police officers were also deployed in the city.
The prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Jean-Marie Girier, and the mayor of Nice, Éric Ciotti, visited the city center at midday, while gatherings were banned for the day. They then monitored the afternoon demonstrations from the urban supervision center and Foch police station.
The operation included notably riot police, dispersal equipment, a water cannon vehicle and a RAID vehicle.
Despite this significant deployment, the mobilization resulted in several episodes of tension between protesters and law enforcement, followed by clashes with far-right activists. The day thus ended with a total of 61 arrests and three people injured in Nice. Fortunately, no shops appear to have suffered damage unlike last week.
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