Thousands took to the streets in Lyon, southern France, to celebrate the life of Quentin Deranque, a young patriot who was beaten to death in the street by an Antifa-style group. Authorities responded with extraordinary security measures—as political leaders called for calm.
Around 3,200 people took part in a march in the southeastern French city of Lyon on Saturday, organized in memory of a 23-year-old right-wing activist who sustained fatal injuries during left-wing street violence. Participants carried flowers and banners as they marched through the city amid a heavy police presence.
French president Emmanuel Macron called for calm ahead of the protests, emphasizing the importance of political responsibility and the ‘rule of law’ amid the tense public atmosphere.
Six men have been charged with the fatal attack, while a parliamentary assistant linked to a La France Insoumise (LFI) lawmaker is under investigation for complicity. Deranque was injured in a brawl between rival factions at a student rally where far-left politician Rima Hassan was the keynote speaker.
The incident further deepened political divisions in France, where nationalist and radical left-wing groups blame each other for the escalation of violence.
President Emmanuel Macron announced ahead of the mass protests that he would convene a cabinet meeting next week to address the issue of politically motivated violence.
