In France, tens of thousands of people rallied in support of the police. Photo

Activists say that lack of funding, old equipment and staff shortages mean the police are unable to carry out their tasks effectively. Some areas are in poor condition and the national police force lags behind other European security forces by 30 years. Police officers are forced to work in conditions of increased crime, drug trafficking and violence without proper support.

According to the Alliance Trade Union, demonstrations took place in about 20 cities, including Paris, where up to 20 thousand people gathered. In total, approximately 45 thousand participants attended rallies in France.

The posters featured slogans such as “All police are heroes” and “Impunity gives birth to criminals,” and the Marseillaise also sounded.

The media notes that among those present were several far-right politicians, including candidates for the position of Paris mayor Sarah Knafo and Thierry Mariani, as well as the niece of the leader of the French far right, Marine Le Pen, Marion Marechal.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez did not attend the rally, citing a duty of neutrality. He noted that since 2017, 12.5 thousand jobs have been created in the internal security forces, 19 thousand cars have been purchased, and the government has allocated twice as much money for loans for police officers.