The images of the rue de Penhoët police station in flames had already shocked Friday evening. However, the “show” was not over. On Saturday, around 1,200 people gathered (according to the prefecture) in Rennes for a “regional gathering” after the enactment of the pension reform. A movement that quickly degenerated. The city center of the Breton capital was once again the scene of violence between radical demonstrators and the police. Saturday afternoon, many businesses were ransacked, street furniture was damaged and barricades were set on fire. As during the demonstration on Thursday, a Mercedes brand car was set on fire in the Vilaine car park.
In a press release written on Saturday evening, Mayor Nathalie Appéré (PS) called on the State for help to “recognize the particular situation” of Rennes. “Rennes, the inhabitants of the city center and particularly our merchants, are the incredulous victims of this unleashing of violence. The damage amounts to hundreds of thousands of euros. After the events of last night, where the door of the Couvent des Jacobins and that of the police station in rue de Penhoët were set on fire, and where considerable damage is to be deplored, what will happen now? How far will this destructive madness go? “, asks the elected.
Police interventions disputed
On Saturday, the CRS 8 had been deployed to supervise the regional demonstration. “Additional police resources have been deployed. It is more than necessary to perpetuate them, ”claims the mayor. Several strong interventions by the unit specializing in urban violence were denounced by demonstrators. Since Saturday, images of bludgeoned individuals have flourished on social networks, relayed by many people who are indignant at this police violence. “To prevent abuses and deal with the violence and aggressiveness of these individuals, the police had to, in an appropriate and proportionate manner, make use of tear gas and water-throwing devices”, a replied the prefecture, which reports a gendarme and two demonstrators injured. The number is underestimated since it only lists those supported by firefighters. Eleven people were arrested.
Since January 10, Rennes has been the scene of violent demonstrations in its city center where most businesses are now barricaded. On the Place de la République, there is no longer a bus shelter that has not been destroyed and the tar everywhere bears the marks of the multiple fires lit by hooded individuals. “The prejudice of our traders must be recognized and taken care of. They must be supported in the ordeal they are going through, as in 2016”. During the mobilization against the Labor Law, compensation for insurance deductibles had been paid by the State. A fund enabling loss of turnover to be taken into account had also been created.