The Paris police headquarters has issued a ban on a demonstration organized by the collective 'Action antifasciste Paris-Banlieue,' which was scheduled to take place in front of the National Assembly. The protest was called to unite against the extreme right and its allies, coinciding with the results of the second round of legislative elections. The police cited concerns over public order and the collective's history of violent actions as reasons for the ban. The police also emphasized that the collective did not declare the gathering three days before the scheduled date.
The collective 'Action antifasciste Paris-Banlieue' first gained public attention in 2013 following the murder of one of its members, Clément Méric, by far-right activists. Since then, the group has been involved in various activities, including demonstrations and acts of self-defense. However, the group's actions are not solely violent; they also engage in classic forms of activism such as making collages and participating in protests. The group's membership is difficult to quantify, but estimates suggest between 25 and 30 active members, with up to 150 sympathizers.
In 2016, the collective made headlines again during the Labor Law demonstrations in Paris, where a police car was set on fire. Four anti-fascist activists were arrested, some of whom were close to 'Action antifasciste Paris-Banlieue.' Despite their reputation for violence, the collective's actions are varied and include disrupting political meetings and participating in anti-fascist villages focused on speeches.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that 30,000 police officers and gendarmes, including 5,000 in Paris and its suburbs, would be mobilized for the second round of the legislative elections. Intelligence services have warned of potential disturbances and clashes between antagonistic groups following the election results. The latest polls suggest a victory for the National Rally (RN) and its allies, although they are not expected to achieve an absolute majority in the National Assembly.
The early legislative elections have put many figures in the National Assembly at risk of losing their seats. Despite numerous withdrawals to stand against the National Rally, many incumbents are not guaranteed to retain their positions. For example, former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne is trailing her National Rally opponent Nicolas Calbrix and faces an uncertain outcome in the second round.
