Like the polizei in Berlin the police in France are also preparing fora violent May 1 with many demonstrations by leftist groups. According to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, police are deploying at least 12,000 officers, including 5,000 in Paris alone. Police will also deploy drones in several French cities for the first time.
Authorities are counting on at least 300 demonstrations across the country, held by an estimated 500,000 to 650,000 protesters.
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In Paris, between 80,000 and 100,000 demonstrators are expected. Of these, between 1,500 and 3,000 will belong to the “Gele Hesjes“. Between 1,000 and 2,000 are considered “high-risk” individuals who may use violence. 400 of these are from the far-left camp.
‘Radical elements’ are also expected in Lyon, Rennes and Nantes. For this reason, several buildings in Lyon are being extra secured and protected. Earlier this month, much damage was caused to buildings in Lyon during demonstrations against President Macron’s pension reforms.
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In Bordeaux, Le Havre, Nantes and Lyon, among others, police will use drones with cameras. Protesters will be warned with loudspeakers that drones are recording.
This is the first time French police have been authorized to use drones. A controversial law was passed in December allowing far-reaching measures to avert “attacks against the security of persons or property. In April of this year a presidential decree directly enabled the use of drones.
However, the drones must meet requirements that they cannot record sound and they cannot have facial recognitionsoftware.
