Paris Protests Banned Amid Concerns Over Terrorism Apology
Paris, February 15, 2023
Planned demonstrations in Paris on Wednesday, February 19th and Thursday, February 20th, in support of Lebanese militant Georges Abdallah have been banned by the Paris Police Prefecture (PP). The decision was made after the prefecture received a report that slogans potentially glorifying terrorism were chanted at a previous rally on February 8th.
Abdallah, a Lebanese pro-Palestinian militant, has been imprisoned for 40 years for his complicity in the assassinations of American and Israeli diplomats in the 1980s. He is currently serving a life sentence and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday for a new hearing regarding his release.
According to the PP, the decision to ban the protests was based on concerns that similar slogans or statements could be uttered during the upcoming demonstrations. The prefecture cited a banner that read "Long Live the ‘Great Flood of Al-Aqsa’" – the name given by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas to a terrorist attack carried out in Israel on October 7, 2023. Additionally, the prefecture mentioned statements made by a speaker at the February 8th rally, who asked, "Which revolutionary did not weep with joy on October 7th?"
The PP has reported these incidents to the Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
In a statement, Prefect of Police Laurent Nuñez expressed concerns that the demonstrations could lead to confrontations with militant groups with opposing views, potentially disrupting public order.
Rejection of Organizers’ Appeal
The organizers of the two protests filed a legal challenge to the ban, arguing that their sole purpose was to advocate for Abdallah’s release. They claimed that the PP had not conducted a proper risk assessment and had failed to consider alternative measures.
The organizers also denounced the ban as disproportionate and a violation of fundamental freedoms.
However, the Paris Administrative Court rejected the organizers’ appeal, upholding the arguments put forward by the PP.
Additional Demonstrations Planned Elsewhere
Despite the ban in Paris, several demonstrations in support of Georges Abdallah are still planned in other French cities, including Toulouse and Alençon.
International Context
The decision to ban the Paris protests comes amidst heightened tensions both domestically and internationally. The statements made at the February 8th rally have raised concerns about the potential for further terrorist activity.
Critique and Concerns
Critics of the ban have argued that it represents an excessive restriction on the right to freedom of assembly and expression. They argue that the prefecture should have taken a more nuanced approach and considered alternative measures, such as increased security measures at the demonstrations.
Additionally, they express concerns that the ban may have a chilling effect on future protests, particularly those advocating for controversial causes.
The situation surrounding Georges Abdallah and the planned demonstrations in support of his release raises complex questions about the balance between national security and civil liberties. The decision to ban the Paris protests is likely to be debated and critiqued in the coming days and weeks.
