On Saturday, October 24th, nearly 500 people gathered in Perpignan for a demonstration that had not been declared to the prefecture. Among them, individuals were identified with the intention of disrupting city center life and committing acts of vandalism. However, the protective measures put in place were deemed highly effective.
Despite repeated attempts to enter commercial streets, in violation of the prefect's ban, all were unsuccessful. These actions confirm the presence of individuals seeking to "smash, destroy, and loot" within the protest groups.
The synergy between the Municipal Police, the National Police, and the Gendarmerie prevented all attempts by protesters to penetrate the area. Law enforcement, still on duty, are thanked for maintaining public order since 10:30 AM. The dedication of the municipal police was particularly highlighted.
Sanitation workers and firefighters from SDIS 66 are also commended for their swift response to the few instances of vandalism and trash can fires that occurred.
The situation impacted the economic and social life of the city center, with many businesses understandably choosing to close for the afternoon. Furthermore, the current degraded social climate in the country apparently deterred many people from spending their Saturday in the city center.
The Mayor's office calls on the Government to take responsibility and end the "insurrectional situation" in the country, and to address the legitimate concerns of citizens struggling with the high cost of living, in order to restore the stability and serenity essential for societal balance.
