An investigation was opened by the Grenoble prosecutor’s office after a mannequin bearing the image of Emmanuel Macron was burned in Place Notre-Dame on Monday, April 24. The demonstrators were gathered to “celebrate” the anniversary of the re-election of the President of the Republic.
A “casserolade” to celebrate the first anniversary of the re-election of Emmanuel Macron as President of the Republic… As in many cities in France, opponents of the pension reform met this Monday, April 24 in Grenoble.
From 7 p.m., 200 to 300 people gathered in the city center, on Place Notre-Dame. Some demonstrators notably hit a mannequin bearing the image of Emmanuel Macron with an iron bar, before burning it.
Eric Vaillant, the public prosecutor of Grenoble, confirms that“an investigation has been opened for contempt of a person holding public authority”. Facts punishable by one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros.
According to the Departmental Directorate of Public Security of Isère, the demonstrators chanted anti-Macron slogans: “Louis XVI we beheaded him, Macron we will start again.” Others targeted law enforcement: “Beat the police”, or “Police Fachos”.
This Saturday April 22, during a carnival in Puy-de-Dôme, a character representing Emmanuel Macron had also been burned.
Later in the evening, a group of demonstrators, some of whom were masked and hooded, took to the streets of Grenoble, smoke bombs in hand. When they wanted to join the tram tracks, the police blocked them so that they could not access the city center.
The security forces were shortly after targeted by jets of projectiles. The officials then proceeded to summonses, before resorting to tear gas canisters to disperse the wild gathering.
A few dozen people finally went in the direction of Green Island, where the police surrounded and checked them. The operation ended shortly before 10 p.m. During the evening, a person was arrested for “degradation of private property” and “violence against a person holding public authority”.