On the eve of the national mobilization of May Day, the authorities expect some 300 demonstrations in the country. In Paris, the Minister of the Interior announced the deployment of 5,000 police and gendarmes.
“Without the security forces, there would be no possible May Day”. The tone is set. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez spoke on Saturday of the risk “disturbing elements” who would come to mingle with the procession of the May Day demonstration to justify the deployment of a very large police force in the streets of the capital on Monday on the occasion of the traditional Labor Day parade this year mixed with demands against the reform retirements.
“We have a problem with the pre-processions, with the black blocks and the ultra individuals. We expect several thousand. It will be a difficult event. Without the security forces, there would be no May Day. We are there so that the pre-cortege, made up of elements at risk, can advance and disperse it when it prevents the trade union organizations from advancing.underlined Laurent Nunez on Saturday.
The police system for this day of social mobilization had been partly detailed on Friday by the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin. At the microphone of Europe 1, he announced “12,000 police and gendarmes, including 5,000 in Paris” mobilized on Monday.
“Vengeful Spirit”
The authorities expect the mobilization of 80,000 to 100,000 people in the capital, including 1,500 to 3,000 “yellow vests” and 1,000 to 2,000 individuals “at risk”, according to a source close to the ministry. Some 300 events bringing together between 500,000 and 650,000 people are planned throughout the territory.
“We are preparing for this”, assured the Minister of the Interior, in response to a question about a note from the territorial intelligence services evoking “a vengeful spirit” which would animate demonstrators after the passage in force of the government on the very contested law pushing back the retirement age.
Furthermore, Gérald Darmanin also specified that “radical elements” were expected in Rennes and Nantes, where the Minister decided to mobilize “four units of mobile forces” in each of these two cities.
Interviewed by BFM TV this Sunday, Yann Bastière, national investigation delegate of the SGP Police FO Unit union, said “expect a tense May 1st”also referring to “possible disruptive elements that will hinder the smooth running of this inter-union”.
