This text, written by an anonymous support group, will deal with the arrest of a constellation of International people in Paris and the unusual circumstances from which it came. This includes the new development of police tactics in demonstrations and the current political climate in France, after nearly two years of `state of emergency`. It is not a conclusive text, and all points are made to the best of their memory, but texts with more concrete information (particularly with police tactics) will follow. There are also points that are not mentioned in this text as they are still to be discussed and of course we cannot speak on behalf of each individual affected.
This
text, written by an anonymous support group, will deal with the
arrest of a constellation of International people in Paris and the
unusual circumstances from which it came. This includes the new
development of police tactics in demonstrations and the current
political climate in France, after nearly two years of `state of
emergency`. It is not a conclusive text, and all points are made to
the best of their memory, but texts with more concrete information
(particularly with police tactics) will follow. There are also points
that are not mentioned in this text as they are still to be discussed
and of course we cannot speak on behalf of each individual
affected.
On the 19th of March, there was a demonstration,
that had been planned for some time, against state and police
violence, highlighted by the rape
of Théo
and the murder
of Adama.
It is
framed by a long
history of riots
against structural police violence
and
a colonialist
based state. In this
perspective, we have to look back to the movement in the last year
and to the struggles all over France. In this moment, there developed
the first connection between two movements - one against the racist
state, and the other, the `social` movement. This is a new connection
between the fighters against invisibility, or, as you can say, the
fighters against authority, so the state is responding with all kinds
of repression against it and the solidarity shown within the
different levels of society.
On this day, a group of seven
people travelling (mainly
from Germany) to Paris,
found themselves at Place de la République.
After being watched by plain clothes police, the group of people were
arrested.
The strategy of the police was to use the BAC to
arrest when the group of people had split up and gone separate
ways.
The people arrested were all taken to the same police
station and held in the cells there.
The charges were then made
apparent:
- Being part of a mob, wearing a weapon and hiding the face (this is considered under French law as a political offense),
- Deterioration of private property,
-
Brutality
against unknown police officers who
did not
suffer any harm.
In
what is known as a `confrontation`, in which the accused sit with
police in the same room with the cops giving their own testimony,
revealing their tactics.
The police said:
Two
off-duty police officers attended the demo. They spotted some people
within the black-bloc. These people stood out to them due to the
completely covered way they were dressed, an apparent strong
organisation and structure, along with usage of hand-signs as a
potential communication device. The cops took photos and video on
their smartphones and go-pros. They followed some people until the
Place de la République,
where they saw a circle form in which it appeared that
people changed clothes. These cops informed their colleagues, and
they, the BAC and other cops watched a group of people
until they were arrested later.
Our friends were
interviewed by police and urged by state lawyers to make statements.
These interviews were carried out many times a day and throughout the
night.
Interpreters were present (most of the time) but mainly
took the role of police rather than impartial translators.
DNA,
fingerprints and photos were taken from all of the accused. Some were
photographed with jackets and hats that had been found on them.
After
the more than 48 hour stay, which was highlighted by constant
struggle for water, bedding, medicine, access to toilet, food (also
vegan food) and lawyers, they were transferred to the central
Paris court prison, Palais de justice, for a speed trial.
The
court found itself not having enough information on the case, so it
decided to postpone the proceedings. It is also possible that the
case needed to be postponed due to one of the charges being a
‘political crime’, which could not be judged in a speedy
trial.
The state prosecutor and the judges wanted our comrades
to stay in prison for ‘investigation custody’ until the next
trial date.
They were brought, individually, to a second judge
who was to decide whether or not this would happen. In front of this
judge, the group admitted to some of the charges.
This
judge then claimed to be too tired and annoyed by the proceedings to
make a judgement, so passed on responsibility to another judge.
This
third judge then also decided she was too tired and annoyed to make a
judgement and wished to send the group of arrested to prison. The
lawyers fought for the hearings to be postponed to some days
later.
Our comrades were split up once more and transferred to
different mainstream prisons outside of Paris.
Two days later,
five of them were brought back to the courts.
There were
different trials and different judges, with different outcomes for
each person.
But all five were released that evening.
Three
days later, the last two were brought to the courts and
released.
All have to fulfill different conditions in
France as well as in Germany, for example a prohibition to join
demonstrations.
This story is not over. These trials were
only to decide whether or not our friends would have to stay in
prison for the next months until the trails. They are currently
awaiting trial dates, and expect violent sentencing – in the form
of uncertain prison terms and excessive fines.
At this stage,
they already have high costs from the week of trials.
There will
of course be a lot more costs coming up in the future.
All
solidarity is needed and welcome.
There
have already been rumours and misinformation spreading. This text is
only a preliminary step in making this case as transparent as
possible to try to curb this. Telling things that are not yours to
tell doesn’t do anyone any good, except for the cops.
During
these days of incarceration, the arrested people continued to fight
against the police and state oppression that had been forced onto
them. Although their treatment was as is expected in the violent
hands of the state, it must also be seen in the context of their
white privilege, in that it cannot have been worse than what is dealt
out every minute to the black and p.o.c. bodies inside the prison
walls.
The solidarity from outside, within and between was
powerful and shook the cold and wet walls of the prisons. Without
this, they would still be inside and the struggle would be much
harder.
Repressive state structures and the continued violence
against those struggling to survive is endemic. This is being
challenged daily and solidarity must extend to every corner!
If you want to contact us use the email adress: paris7@riseup.net