The conference was held under close surveillance. On Saturday, four associations organized a meeting on the theme of welcoming exiles in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (Loire-Atlantique). Fearing clashes, the authorities deployed a significant security system around the room where the conference was held for the occasion.
This did not prevent around sixty ultra-right activists from demonstrating even though all gatherings were prohibited following a municipal decree taken on Friday. “Six people are currently in police custody for carrying a weapon by destination and participating in a gathering with a view to an undeclared demonstration,” AFP learned from a source close to the matter. The Loire-Atlantique prefecture reported seven arrests at the end of the day.
Far-right demonstrations have continued in Saint-Brévin, a quiet seaside resort, since the transfer of a reception center for asylum seekers (Cada), which already existed in the town, was made official at the end of 2021. The city’s former mayor, Yannick Morez, resigned in May after being the subject of threats from the far right. These attacks culminated last March with the burning of two of the mayor’s vehicles in front of his home, the facade of which was also affected by the flames.