Seven People Arrested In Protest After Le Pen's Death In Lyon

The demonstration was an initiative of the far-left New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) and, in addition to Lyon, also took place in Paris.

Seven people were arrested on Tuesday night during a demonstration in Lyon, France, following the death of historic French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen.

The demonstration was an initiative of the far-left New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) and, in addition to Lyon, also took place in Paris.

According to French authorities, seven people were arrested in a "gathering" formed after the demonstration, which brought together around 600 people, was dispersed around 9 pm local time (8 pm in Lisbon).

The prisoners are suspected of encouraging violence, setting fire to trash cans and throwing objects at military police officers.

On Tuesday night, French people held up signs reading slogans such as: "Fuck the far right and the Le Pens", "the dirty racist is dead", "the fascist is dead, death to fascism" and "Rest in peace". hell, torch".

On the social network X, the French Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, lamented the demonstrations, arguing that "nothing, absolutely nothing, justifies dancing on a corpse".

"The death of a man, even a political opponent, should inspire only moderation and dignity. These scenes of jubilation are simply shameful," he said.

Jean-Marie Le Pen died on Tuesday at the age of 96. According to what his family announced to Agence France-Presse (AFP), he was "surrounded by his family" and "was called back to God at 12 pm" (11 am in Lisbon).

The founder of the National Front gradually withdrew from political life from 2011, when his daughter Marine Le Pen took over as president of the party, which she led until November 2023.

A polarizing figure in French politics, Le Pen was known for his fiery rhetoric against immigration and multiculturalism, which earned him both loyal supporters and widespread condemnation.

In 2018, Marine Le Pen changed the party's name to distance itself from its "demonized" image and expand its electoral appeal, culminating in her own presidential success.