Today, the climate movement organized two peaceful demonstrations in Paris. In the morning, the advocacy group Avaaz displayed thousands of shoes Parisians donated to “march” in their place after the French authorities banned the Paris Climate March.
Shortly after, thousands of people formed a human chain along Boulevard Voltaire, beginning just outside of Place de Republique and stretching down to Place de la Nation. According to the Agence France Presse, nearly 10,000 parents, children, front line communities, and activists from around the world took part in the peaceful demonstration calling for climate justice. The event ended without incident just before 1:00pm.
A separate demonstration then took place in Place de Republique. The protest involved some parts of the climate movement in France. For over an hour, this unpermitted demonstration took place peacefully, without confrontation with the police or other security forces.
Starting around 2:30pm, a small group of protesters unaffiliated with the climate movement arrived at Republique and began to clash with the police there, violating the nonviolent pledge that every group involved in the climate coalition here in France has agreed to. Police responded with tear gas and pepper spray. The protest dispersed by around 3:45pm.
350.org France Campaigner Nicolas Haeringer issued the following statement on the incident:
“The human chain that stretched along Boulevard Voltaire was a beautiful and powerful event, the type of mobilization that should be allowed to continue in Paris while the climate talks are underway and beyond. We will stand against any attempts by the French authorities to use the incidents this afternoon to unnecessarily clamp down on civil liberties and prevent the types of demonstrations that are at the heart of any democracy and climate progress.”
Activists will continue to find creative ways to make their voices heard throughout the climate talks in Paris over the coming weeks.
