After yet another refusal from the prefect, the administrative judge decided to lift the ban on demonstrating in support of Palestine.
For several weeks, a fierce battle has been waged between the organizers, the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, and the administrative court of Nice. Requests for gatherings for “a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis” have been systematically denied by the Prefecture and are not unanimously accepted in the community. Risks of public disorder, clashes, terrorist threats, and a resurgence of anti-Semitic acts are cited to justify the bans.
In reality, the reasons put forth do not seem genuinely founded, and some believe it is an impediment to freedom of expression. This is what the summary judge believes, thus lifting the ban on demonstrating for the third consecutive time: “The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, by banning the demonstration in question, has committed a serious and manifestly illegal violation of freedom of expression and assembly.”
An upbeat atmosphere
Near Garibaldi Square this Saturday afternoon, over 500 people gathered. In a peaceful atmosphere, where families, children, and notably retirees mingled, the cited risks of public disorder seemed distant: “All organizations that called for demonstrations have their own security service, and there is no evidence that it would be insufficient or unable to ensure the smooth conduct of the demonstration,” warns the magistrate. Furthermore, the court indicates that “recent arrests and anti-Semitic incidents reported by the prefect cannot be considered sufficient grounds to ban the demonstration.” One thing is certain, the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is far from over.
