Behind a large painting of far-right activist Kontan Duranc and with heavy police escort, more than three thousand people, most of them far-right activists, demonstrated on Saturday in the French city of Lyon, demanding “justice” for their “comrade” who was beaten to death by members of the radical left. While the Rhone-Alpes province announced that it would bring to justice Nazi salutes and racist and anti-gay insults during the march. For his part, President Emmanuel Macron had called for calm and restraint before the marches began.

Published on: 02/21/2026 - 09:28 Last updated: 02/21/2026 - 22:35

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On Saturday, France witnessed limited marches in honor of far-right activist Quentin Duranac (23 years old), who died on February 12 from a head injury on the sidelines of a conference in the city of Lyon (southeast) that was held by European Representative Rima Hassan, who belongs to the “Proud France” party.

Three thousand people demonstrated in Lyon to offer condolences to right-wing activist Quentin Duranc, who was beaten to death on February 12 by activists from the radical left.

The procession was led by young women from the “Nemesis” identity coalition, carrying white roses. Banners “The far left kills” are juxtaposed with tricolor flags. “The young army is in prison, liberate Lyon,” the demonstrators chant.

The authorities feared the outbreak of confrontations due to the severe political tension raised by this issue, while President Emmanuel Macron called on “everyone to remain calm.” He said at the opening of the agricultural exhibition in Paris: “These are moments that call us to silently reverence and respect our young citizen who was killed.”

Macron: “There is no place for militias, regardless of their source.”

Macron added: "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."

Read also: France: The Public Prosecution seeks a charge of “premeditated murder” against seven suspects in the killing of a right-wing extremist activist

Gatherings are scheduled to be held in several cities on Saturday in honor of the murdered student, in parallel with anti-fascist movement demonstrations.

The French Ministry of the Interior approved the organization of a march under the title "Lyon seeks justice for Kontin, who was killed by anti-fascists," although the municipality of Lyon requested that it be banned.

"Large security deployment"

The police station stated that the movement would be accompanied by a “large security deployment” of riot control elements, including police and gendarmerie, attributing allowing the march to ensure freedom of expression and calling on participants to refrain from making “any political expression.”

For their part, groups from the far left distributed leaflets in the neighborhoods that the march participants will take, calling for “confronting racists” or advising those belonging to “ethnic minorities” who are “particularly targeted by neo-Nazis” to stay in their homes.

Six people suspected of assaulting Kontan Duranc were charged with "premeditated murder." The charge of "collusion" was also brought against Jacques-Elie Favreau, an assistant to MP Raphael Arnault, a member of the "France Proud" party.

They belong to or are linked to the so-called "Anti-Fascist Young Guard". Arnault founded the Guard in 2018 and was dissolved by the government in June due to repeated acts of violence. The Proud France Party refuses to demand that its deputy leave its parliamentary bloc or even resign, in response to the demands of the right and the extreme right.

National Rally Party leader Jordan Bardella called for imposing a "security cordon" on the Proud France party before the municipal elections. He advised his supporters not to participate in Saturday's march in Lyon, so as not to link his party to the far right.

With AFP

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