France: Activists to protest in Place des Fetes, Paris, June 18

Event

Activists representing different organizations will demonstrate in Paris' Place des Fetes, from 15:00 June 18. The protesters are calling for the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese Palestinian activist who has been imprisoned in France since 1987. Whilst the event is likely to be supported by French, Lebanese and Palestinian diaspora organizations, the number of potential demonstrators is unclear. A demonstration in October 2021, outside the prison where Abdallah is held, attracted around 1,000 activists.

Police will likely deploy to monitor and facilitate the protest. Heightened security measures may prompt localized traffic disruption. Increased congestion is likely at the adjacent Metro station, Place des Fetes (Lines 7 and 11), as participants arrive at and depart the protest site. The protest is likely to be peaceful however low-level scuffles canot be discounted.

Context

Georges Ibrahim Abdallah is considered to be the leader of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Armed Faction (LARF), a group that has been militarily inactive since 1990. He was imprisoned indefinitely in 1987 and continues to be held in part due to alleged international pressure from the US. There are regular protests calling for his release. Paris has a significant Lebanese and Palestinian population and therefore further protests are likely.

Advice

Avoid the protest as a standard precaution. Allow extra time for travel in the affected area. Follow local travel and security advice, and, in the event of violence, withdraw from the area immediately.