Montpellier Protesters Denounce Crackdown on Free Parties

MONTPELLIER, France (AP) — An estimated 3,000 people⁤ marched through the streets of Montpellier on Saturday, April 5,⁤ protesting what they call the repression of “free parties” adn a recent decree banning such events⁢ throughout the Hérault department.

Protest Follows Ban on Unsanctioned Techno Gatherings

The exhibition was sparked by a prefectural decree issued⁤ by François-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Hérault, which prohibits free parties ⁢in the region for the entirety of 2025.Critics argue that such bans‍ are ineffective and simply displace the issue.

Samuel Raymond, director of the Freeform association,‍ which mediates between the government and ⁣organizers of thes techno-focused ⁣events, previously stated⁢ that “prohibiting free parties only moves the⁣ problem elsewhere.” His comments came⁢ in response to Lauch’s unprecedented year-long ban, a decision more extensive than those enacted by other prefects. Hérault has historically⁣ been a welcoming region for ‍free parties.

The ‍protesters, primarily young people, marched to the beat of music emanating from sound systems mounted on trucks, demanding an end to the crackdown on their‍ culture. Police maintained a visible presence throughout the demonstration. While similar protests are planned for April 12‍ in other major French cities, Montpellier’s event was moved ⁤to⁤ April ‍5 due to a marathon scheduled for the following week.

Calls for Cultural Recognition, End to Repression

The demonstration also highlighted concerns about broader efforts to criminalize ‍free parties. Macronistic deputies reportedly filed a ⁣bill on March‍ 18 aimed at strengthening penalties for these events, potentially including prison sentences and significant fines for organizers.

Sen, a spokesperson representing the six sound systems present at the Montpellier protest, outlined their demands: “We want free parties to transition from the Ministry of the Interior to the Ministry of Culture, so that we are recognized as a real culture. We also want to stop repression, sometimes deadly, ‍as during the Music Festival in Nantes in 2019 where young Steve died after a charge of the police. We want the end of fines, seizures of equipment and repression… Ask the decriminalization of our events as is the case in Portugal, the Netherlands or certain regions of spain.”

Sophie Mazas, a‍ lawyer and member of ‍the Hérault Human Rights League, assisted the organizers in declaring the demonstration. She ‍had⁤ previously challenged Prefect Lauch’s ⁤decree in administrative court. “The text was vague,”‍ Mazas said, “as below 500 people, these events are not subject to declaration, ⁣and the ⁢text did not mention this barrier of the ‍500 participants in a⁤ non-declared rally. The administrative court made it possible to clarify this point and to tell the prefect that he coudl not create a new right by prohibiting any free parties. Today, we are there to⁤ support these young people who are fighting for freedom of expression and meetings.”

The Hérault LDH also plans to establish an observatory to monitor potential repression of free parties. Two ⁢local organizations, Solidaires and the FSU union, co-declared the event in support of freedom of expression.

Christine Saint-Joanis, co-secretary of FSU 34, praised the initiative, stating, “The slogan of these young people is great, they say that their walls do not ⁤separate them but unite them. It is a way of fighting the extreme right by the creation of inclusive festivals which advocate the fight against discrimination.”

Patrick Chemin, co-secretary of Union ⁤Union ⁤solidaires 34, added, “This manifestation responds to a context of generalized attacks on culture,⁤ whether legitimate or ⁣not, with budget ⁣cuts on one side and increased repression on the other. This climate⁤ is ⁤an ⁢open door to⁤ fascism.”

the demonstration concluded peacefully at Place de l’Europe after a stop in front of the central police station.