Mayor Advocates for Disarming Police in Diverse Paris Suburb

Disarmament Proposal in Saint-Denis

Barry Bagayoko, the newly elected radical mayor of the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, has declared that the local police force should be disarmed, despite the area’s troublesome history of violence and unrest. His comments came this week.

Bagayoko, of Malian descent, was elected earlier this month representing the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI), with support from the French Communist Party. He triumphed over the more moderate Socialist Party candidate in the first round of the municipal elections.

His campaign included promises like free bicycles for every ninth grader in the city and free back-to-school kits for all children, aiming to solidify his far-left position right from the start. Bagayoko made a bold vow to initiate the disarmament of the Saint-Denis police department.

In a recent meeting with police officers, he expressed his appreciation for their work and stated, “We will begin the process of disarmament.” He emphasized that the focus would be on eliminating certain less-lethal weapons, and while Tasers won’t be part of the police’s arsenal, officers will retain their firearms “for now.”

This initiative has stirred discontent among municipal police unions. The Local Police Defense Union has urged members to consider transferring away from municipalities that pursue disarmament. Meanwhile, Eric Ciotti, the mayor of Nice, mocked the situation, jokingly inviting the Saint-Denis police to join his force, given the perceived irresponsibility of the disarmament decision.

Public sentiment regarding police disarmament is largely negative across France. A recent poll indicated that 69 percent of respondents are opposed to such actions. However, it’s uncertain if the residents of Saint-Denis share this sentiment. The community has faced numerous riots and violent encounters with the police, a trend observed for decades, including a recent incident where a police shooting resulted in public outrage.

Bagayoko has positioned himself as a voice for what he describes as a “new France,” representing immigrants and their descendants. He has provocatively suggested that his city embodies everything that the far right opposes. At a recent victory celebration, his supporters played a song highlighting global humanitarian issues, reflecting the diverse makeup of the community.

Yet, despite promoting unity, the campaign atmosphere in Saint-Denis has reportedly been tumultuous. There have been allegations of aggressive tactics against opposing candidates, including tearing down posters and using intimidation during the election period.

During Bagayoko’s initial week in office, a significant resignation occurred. A local socialist councilor stepped down, citing her safety concerns linked to her connection with the new mayor and an alleged involvement with someone tied to her harassment.