PHOTO Investigation in France after the gesture made by the police who confiscated a feminist banner, similar to a custom of the ultras
French police. Credit line: Jumeau Alexis/ABACA / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
Paris police announced on Sunday that they had opened an investigation after a group of officers confiscated a feminist and anti-fascist banner at a demonstration, turned it upside down and took pictures with it, reports AFP.
The online publication Blast published the image of the officers, whose faces were masked, and reported that the picture was taken in a police station.
The publication wrote that the gesture made by the officers is a common one precisely among the ultras, the ones the police are supposed to be fighting.
Ultras groups generally turn the banners upside down when they are captured from rival supporters as a sign of mockery. Incidentally, the photo with the officers was also shared on the Facebook pages of the ultras.
“Antifa Feminists Against Transphobia and Racism”
The black cloth, with the message “Antifa Feminists Against Transphobia and Racism” written in red and white, was confiscated by police during a demonstration against sexual and gender-based violence on November 22 in Paris, according to the Blast.
An “immediate investigation” was launched after “a photo” emerged of a police unit holding “an upside down banner”, Paris police told AFP.
“The fact that there are people who dishonor their uniform like these is one thing. The fact that the hierarchy remains silent and that there is no police officer who dares to voice their disagreement tells us a lot about the danger women face because of such individuals,” said Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far-left France Insubordinate (LFI) party.
Human rights organizations and left-wing forces have repeatedly accused the French police of right-wing bias and racism. However, the institution rejected the allegation, insisting that misconduct by a small number of officers is not representative of the police as a whole.
