Eric affirms not to be a pro of the demonstration. At 51 he had “not walked since high school“. But for 24 weeks, he has been part of all the processions that have passed through Vannes to say no to the health pass. Saturday gatherings which for weeks have no longer had an organizer, are no longer declared in the prefecture and which arouse some annoyance in particular at the merchants of the city center. On December 11, demonstrators had tried to force their way into the Christmas market subject to the pass. 2 people had been injured. 3 complaints had been filed.
A PV in the box
In mid-December, he received a notice of fine at his home for “violation of a measure imposing the wearing of a protective mask in a territorial district in a state of health emergency or having to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic” . The offense is dated December 4 at 2:15 p.m. on the Simone Veil esplanade, in front of the port. A fine of 135 euros. “It was a half surprise he said. Other demonstrators had already received (They would be more than ten in this case) and warned us. The surprise is that none of us was shouted at by a policeman, or arrested. So we figured it was CCTV. I have not been checked recently, I have no criminal record. How did they know who I am and what my address is? “
VPs drawn up on the fly
On the side of the authorities, they refute the use of video images. “This is a measure that has been mentioned but has not been used specifies the Prefect of Morbihan Joël Mathurin. Because the people who have been demonstrating for 24 Saturdays now are well known to the services on the ground“. The minutes would therefore have been drawn up on the fly, according to the nomenclature of this procedure. “The services found on the ground that these people were present without a mask. There was no notification during the demonstration. To avoid any disturbance to public order, we proceed to staggered notifications“.
More PVs to come?
However, the fine does not affect Eric’s determination. “I will continue to be part of every demonstration. They want to em… until the end, we will demonstrate until the end“. Along with other ticketed protesters, they considered getting a lawyer”but it’s 700 euros per person and the PV is 135 euros. Some have already received 3 fines, so paying the lawyer and maybe the additional tickets is not an option.“. Especially since the representative of the State warns: “the police forces will continue to note the non-wearing of the mask during the demonstrations and will carry out verbalizations which will also be notified in a staggered manner“.