Men for a tribute to the virgin. A parade in honor of Joan of Arc on the initiative of the French Action gathered around 500 people this Sunday in Paris. Placed behind a large banner “Traditional procession of Joan of Arc”, a large majority of men, of all ages, for some wearing berets, others wearing a blue-white-red armband, descended the boulevard de l Opéra before reaching the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc in forty minutes, place des Pyramides (1st arrondissement).
Some have taken up slogans like “Action? French! Long live the king” or “Joan of Arc in Paris, down with the Republic”. Wreaths of flowers were laid at the foot of the gilded bronze statue, before various speeches. “Again as in the time of Joan, France is in danger”, launched Henri Bec, president of the National Restoration movement.
“We never broke anything. We defend the order »
Shortly before noon, the demonstration dispersed peacefully. Initially banned by the Prefecture of Police who feared disturbances to public order, this demonstration was able to take place following a decision of the Administrative Court handed down early Saturday evening, based on the freedom to demonstrate. The administrative court had also authorized the holding of a symposium of French Action on Saturday in Paris.
“We defended the right to demonstrate by relying on French law and case law,” said Olivier Perceval, secretary general of French Action. “There has never been an incident. This is not a protest demonstration, we honor Joan of Arc. The extreme left says that we are a threat to public order, we have never broken anything. We are a party that defends order, ”he argued.