Clashes Erupt in Grenoble Following Protests
– Demonstrations in Grenoble, France, have resulted in clashes between protesters and police, with reports of tear gas deployment and minor injuries to law enforcement officials. The unrest unfolded in the vicinity of Place Félix-Poulat and Place Grenette, according to reports surfacing today.
The most recent incident, occurring on , involved a man attempting to set fire to the Christmas tree on Place Notre-Dame. According to reports, the suspect, a 41-year-old man, was participating in a demonstration organized in connection with the “International Day of Migrants.” Two other protesters intervened and removed the flammable material before it could ignite the tree.
The situation escalated when police moved to arrest the suspect near the church of Saint-Louis on Rue Félix-Poulat. The man reportedly “violently resisted” arrest, causing slight injuries to four police officers. He also allegedly “harangued the crowd” to oppose his detention. A police vehicle was subsequently surrounded by a hostile group, forcing officers to use tear gas to disperse them.
Place Félix-Poulat has been a focal point for recent demonstrations. On , hundreds gathered at the square to protest against the far-right, following the results of the European elections. That demonstration led to disruptions in tram traffic and, later, the use of tear gas after a trash can was set alight and projectiles were thrown at police on Place de Verdun.
More recently, on , the Association France Palestine Solidarité (AFPS) Grenoble 38 was present at Place Félix Poulat. The purpose of their presence was not detailed in available reports.
Further afield, in Milan, Italy, on , Italian police also deployed tear gas and water cannons against protesters near a Winter Olympics hockey venue. That demonstration, which involved dozens of individuals throwing firecrackers, was initially a peaceful march against the environmental impact of the Games and the presence of U.S. Agents in Italy. The protest coincided with a visit from U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
The Milan protest saw a group of masked individuals setting off smoke bombs and firecrackers near the Olympic Village, which houses approximately 1,500 athletes. While the demonstration caused a temporary road closure, authorities stated it did not interfere with athletes’ transportation to events.
The Grenoble incidents highlight a pattern of unrest in the city, with demonstrations addressing a range of issues from migrant rights and political opposition to international conflicts. The use of tear gas by police in both Grenoble and Milan underscores the potential for escalation during protests, even those that begin peacefully.
On , a pro-Palestine demonstration in Grenoble drew approximately one thousand participants who marched between Place Félix Poulat and Place de Verdun, largely in rainy conditions, to reaffirm their support for the Palestinian state.
