BDS demonstrations banned by the prefect in Montpellier and Béziers: a protest rally in the presence of numerous organizations

A rally to protest the recent ban on two BDS demonstrations. – F. A.

Des drapeaux palestiniens et de plusieurs organisations de gauche, ce mardi devant la préfecture à Montpellier. – F. A.

A rally was organized this Tuesday, September 3, in front of the prefecture in Montpellier, to denounce the prefect's ban on BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) demonstrations on August 30 and 31 in Montpellier and Béziers, and the rejection of appeals filed before the administrative court.

“We will not accept the decline of democracy”, hammered home this Tuesday at the end of the afternoon, in front of the prefecture, the president of the Libre Pensée 34, during a rally denouncing the ban by the prefect of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) demonstrations of August 30 and 31, in Montpellier and Béziers.

Decrees which were the subject of appeals before the administrative court, which rejected them. Yesterday, several speakers spoke about the climate, which they considered hostile, of this hearing, Friday, August 30.

Appeal before the Council of State

In her speech, a representative of the Free Thought denounced "the shameful confusion" between pro-Palestinian mobilizations and anti-Semitism, and declared that there had "never been any violence or breaches of public order during these actions." The departmental president of the organization indicated that an appeal had been filed on Monday, September 2, with the Council of State, against these bans on demonstrations.

These measures had been taken a few days after the fire at the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Grande-Motte. And while the Flag of Liberation, a relay of the Palestinian flag across France, was to stop in Montpellier and Béziers.

Many parties, unions and associations have given their support at the rally organized this Tuesday. Present were notably the NPA, the PCF, France Insoumise, FO.