Thousands of police officers gathered outside the French parliament on Wednesday to protest about attacks on colleagues and their growing fears for their own safety, reports The Guardian.
There were some boos from the angry crowd as the interior minister turned up in what he described as a show of solidarity. His appearance was seen as an attempt by the president, Emmanuel Macron, to show he is tough on law and order in the run-up to next year’s presidential election.
The officers, who have been criticised for their own aggressive actions during demonstrations, are demanding tougher sentences for people convicted of targeting police, following the killing of several officers in recent months.
Two weeks ago a 36-year-old officer was shot dead in the southern city of Avignon during an anti-drug operation. Last month a police worker was stabbed to death outside a police station south-west of Paris.
A minute’s silence was observed at the beginning of the protest in honour of officers killed on duty.
The announcement by the interior minister, Gérard Darmanin, that he would attend the protest sparked controversy and will add to claims that Emmanuel Macron’s government is attempting to woo far-right voters before next year’s presidential election