Published on: 02/21/2026 - 10:03 Last updated: 02/21/2026 - 21:25

Marches were launched in a number of French cities on Saturday, most notably in Lyon, in which three thousand people participated in honor of Quentin Duranc, the far-right activist who was beaten to death last week, while President Emmanuel Macron called for “calm.” The honoring is being held amid fears that it may descend into confrontations and violence. It is estimated that between two thousand and three thousand demonstrators participated, some of whom belong to extremist right-wing movements.

A march amidst a security alert in honor of a French right-wing activist who was killed in Lyon

More than three thousand people demonstrated on Saturday in Lyon to demand "justice" for a far-right activist who was killed in a violent attack by far-left activists in the French city.

The demonstration was held under tight security supervision, as the authorities feared clashes amid escalating political tensions resulting from the case. No flags or organizational symbols were raised in the march, while symbols of the extreme right appeared, and highly politicized speeches were delivered against “left-wing extremism” and “anti-fascist violence.”

On Thursday, seven young men suspected of participating in the violence were charged with premeditated murder and complicity.

The procession was led on Saturday by young women members of the “Nemesis” organization, carrying white roses. Banners reading "The extreme left kills" were raised alongside French flags. The march progressed quietly, despite being pelted with an egg, while others hung banners on the windows of their homes with phrases such as “Leon is anti-fascist” and “Love is greater than hate.”

Thousands march in France after the killing of a far-right activist

Thousands participated in a march in the French city of Lyon on Saturday after the killing of extremist right-wing activist Quentin Deranque, who was beaten to death last week by alleged activists belonging to the extremist left movement, in an incident that shook the country.

The police fear that the march in Lyon will turn into violence, where the presence of far-right and anti-fascist groups is concentrated.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm this morning before the start of the marches, and said that he would hold a meeting with ministers regarding all groups that embrace violence. Former centre-right Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin likened the killing of 23-year-old Derank to the shooting of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year.

Many demonstrators wore medical masks and sunglasses to hide their faces.

A march begins in honor of a right-wing activist who was killed in Lyon, and a security alert is put in place for fear of confrontations

On Saturday, a march began in Lyon accompanied by strict security measures, in honor of an activist on the far right who was killed by supporters of the far left, amid the authorities’ fear of the outbreak of confrontations amid severe political tension.

The march was launched in honor of Kantan Duranak from a residential neighborhood in the city (central east), with the participation of about 3,200 people, according to estimates by the Ministry of the Interior, some of whom were masked.

Before the start of the march, a prayer was held for the soul of the student (23 years old) in a church in the city that he regularly attended.

Earlier, President Emmanuel Macron called on “everyone to remain calm,” adding: “These are moments that call us to silently reverence and respect our young citizen who was killed.”

He said: "There is no legitimate violence in the republic. There is no place for militias, regardless of their source," announcing a meeting with the government next week "to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the violent action groups that are active and have links to political parties."

In turn, Fabienne Roqueau, the governor of the Rhone region, who was charged with securing the march, said: “We will not tolerate any incident” that disturbs the peace of the movement.

Macron calls for calm ahead of a march to commemorate a murdered right-wing activist

French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm ahead of planned protests on Saturday to commemorate a far-right activist who was killed last week.

He said that he would hold a meeting in a few days with the Prime Minister and relevant ministers regarding violent groups.

Macron added at the opening of the annual agricultural exhibition today: “In the Republic, there is no legitimate violence. In the Republic, only republican forces can act because they protect the republican system. There is no place for armed factions.”

He said that the government is on alert to ensure that things go well in the marches that will take place later in the day.

Bardella pledges to disband the "far-right and radical left-wing militias" if he is chosen as prime minister

The head of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, announced on Saturday that his party “does not have any connection, neither closely nor remotely” with the far right, accusing President Emmanuel Macron of trying to cover up his “moral responsibility for the outbreak of violence” among far-left groups.

Bardella's statement came the day after the Elysee Palace announced that a meeting would be held next week on "violent groups", in a move aimed at confronting the escalation of political violence in the country.

Bardella stressed that dissolving extremist militias, whether from the right or the left, will be among the priorities of any government he leads.

Macron calls on "everyone" to "be calm"

French President Emmanuel Macron asked "everyone to be calm" and announced that a meeting would be held with members of the government to discuss the issue of "violent groups" and deal with them.

Macron added at the opening of the annual agricultural exhibition today, "In the Republic, there is no legitimate violence. In the Republic, only republican forces can act because they protect the republican system. There is no place for armed factions."

He said that the government is on alert to ensure that things go well in the marches that will take place later today.

Permission to organize a demonstration and a counter-demonstration in Rennes

The authorities in the Ile-et-Villanes department announced that they would allow two rallies to be held on Saturday morning in the city of Rennes: the first in honor of nationalist activist Quentin Duranc, and the second a counter-demonstration called by anti-fascist groups. She confirmed that the two gatherings will be held in two separate locations.

To ensure security and the smooth running of the two events, it was decided to deploy 130 police officers in the city centre, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

The far right demonstrates in Lyon, France, in honor of Kontin Duranc, amid security concerns

On Saturday, marches are scheduled to be held in a number of French cities, in honor of far-right activist Quentin Duranc, who was beaten to death in Lyon last week. In this city, a major march is expected to be held to honor the young man, but fears prevail among residents that it may descend into confrontations and acts of violence. It is estimated that between two thousand and three thousand demonstrators participated, some of whom belong to extremist right-wing movements. For his part, President Emmanuel Macron called for calm and restraint.

The Trump administration condemns "terrorism" in France after the killing of a far-right activist

The administration of US President Donald Trump on Friday condemned "terrorism" in France and warned against left-wing violence after a far-right activist was beaten to death. Deputy Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers said the killing of Kantan Duranc shows "why we take political violence, terrorism, so hard."

FRANCE 24/AFP/Reuters

Keywords related to the article

The content you want to browse is no longer in service or is currently unavailable.