Paris, France – Thousands of people marched in the French city of Lyon on Saturday to honor far-right activist Quentin Derank, who was beaten to death last week in an incident that shocked the nation. Authorities, however, expressed concern that the march could turn violent. The event was attended by both far-right and anti-fascist groups.
March details
Around 3,200 people participated in the march, according to local authorities, while smaller marches took place in several other French cities. Many demonstrators wore face masks and sunglasses to conceal their faces. Footage broadcast by BFM TV showed groups chanting anti-fascist slogans. A banner reading “Lyon Anti-Fascist” was also displayed near the starting point of the march.
Official reactions
French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm on Saturday morning and announced he would hold a meeting with ministers to review policies related to all groups that embrace violence. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin likened the killing of 23-year-old Derank to the shooting of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year.
Participation of far-right groups
Several French far-right groups announced their participation in the march, while the National Rally party urged its supporters to avoid gatherings for fear of unrest. Lyon Mayor Grégory Doucet expressed his concern about the calls from French and European far-right groups to participate, noting previous attempts to curb far-right violence in the city.
Security concerns
The march comes at a sensitive time, with tensions continuing between extremist groups and anti-fascist protesters. This raises concerns among French authorities about potential violence during the gatherings, particularly in major cities with a strong presence of radical groups.
