Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has criticized the public-order strategy used during the October 17 unrest, saying the situation deteriorated early. He made the remarks Sunday on BFMTV-Le Figaro’s “Grand Oral,” two weeks after the events.
Grégoire said he was deeply shocked by scenes involving people who caused damage, while stressing that he had no sympathy for them. He also warned that insufficient staffing could have resulted in a tragedy.
From the municipal police crisis room, where he could access camera feeds, Grégoire said he saw gatherings begin earlier than expected at around 11 to 11:30 a.m. The available account ends as he begins describing how their character differed from what had been anticipated.
His comments came after a third Saturday of protests over the cost of living ended without major incidents. There were 779 arrests that day, fewer than a third of the number recorded during the chaotic October 17 mobilization.
Sources: Le Figaro.