Hundreds of people gathered in support of the Palestinian people at a student-led protest in Paris on May 2, 2024. Following the evacuation of pro-Palestinian activists occupying the Sorbonne on the evening of May 6, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that all individuals placed in custody had been released by Wednesday evening, except for one. Among the 86 people in custody, one individual had their custody extended due to violence against a private security guard, while three were released for later questioning for participating in a prohibited demonstration. Another person received alternative prosecution measures for possession of incendiary devices. The public ministry also announced that 47 custody orders were lifted to continue preliminary investigations, while 34 were lifted and classified for insufficiently characterized infractions.
The evacuation of pro-Palestinian activists from the Sorbonne university in Paris on the evening of May 7 resulted in the custody of 86 people, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office. The infractions cited included deliberate damage, participation in a group preparing violence against individuals or destruction of property, rebellion, violence against a person in authority, or intrusion into an educational establishment with the intention of disrupting its peace or order. Less than twenty-four hours after Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the government’s firm stance against blockades in French universities, law enforcement intervened to disperse the protesters. The operation took place shortly before midnight, with 88 arrests reported by the prefecture of police and a police source.
The intervention of law enforcement to disband pro-Palestinian demonstrations and blockades at the Sorbonne echoed the government’s strong stance against such actions. Students, numbering around a hundred inside the university, were slowly escorted out onto the streets by agents, at times being carried. The prefecture of police reported 88 arrests in connection with the operation. This action came in response to repeated messages of firmness from the government regarding the prohibition of blockades in French universities, emphasizing the need to maintain order and security.
The operation to remove pro-Palestinian activists from the Sorbonne came after Prime Minister Gabriel Attal reiterated the government’s position against blockades in French universities. The crackdown on the occupiers came as a response to their solidarity demonstration with Gaza, which lasted approximately two hours. The protesters, who disrupted the tranquility and order of the university, faced charges including deliberate damage, preparation for violence, rebellion, and violence against persons in authority. Despite calls for dialogue and understanding, the government remained resolute in maintaining law and order, leading to the arrest and custody of dozens of individuals involved in the occupation.
The actions taken by law enforcement to remove pro-Palestinian activists from the Sorbonne and the subsequent arrests and custody of individuals highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The protesters, who sought to show solidarity with Gaza, faced charges related to their participation in activities that disrupted peace and order. The government’s firm stance against blockades and actions that disrupt the regular functioning of educational institutions led to the intervention and subsequent arrest of individuals engaging in prohibited activities. The aftermath of the operation saw most individuals released from custody, with a few facing further legal proceedings for their actions during the protest at the Sorbonne.
