Slogans at odds with the latest political speeches. This Saturday, around 200 people demonstrated in Paris to “affirm the rights of the child”, two years after the Head of State’s promises on child protection.
Under heavy rain, associations, professionals or simple parents accompanied by their children gathered at Place de la République around 2 p.m. They were welcomed by a fanfare and multicolored balloons at the start of this “March for childhood and youth” co-organized by the French Council of Associations for the Rights of the Child (Cofrade).
Remind Emmanuel Macron of his promise between the two rounds
“Maintaining Civilization with Édouard Durand”, could be read on a large banner, in reference to the judge who chaired the Independent Commission on Incest until his departure last December. Other demonstrators brandished signs saying “growing up in safety: a right not a privilege” or “together for a childhood without violence”.
“This is the first major demonstration aimed at affirming the rights of children and young people,” said Arthur Melon, the general delegate of Cofrade, who hopes to make this demonstration an annual event.
The demonstrators also intended to remind Emmanuel Macron of his promise between the two rounds of the presidential election to put child protection “at the heart of the next five years”.
Children don’t just have duties, “they also have rights”
It is also about “re-evaluating the status of the child” while young people are “continually reminded of their duties in a repressive logic. But they also have rights,” whether in terms of health, disability, expression or participation, added Arthur Melon.
The demonstrators planned to then march to the Place de la Bastille.