Protests Erupt in Lyon Following Alleged Killing of Student
On Saturday, thousands gathered in Lyon, France, to protest the reported murder of a conservative Catholic student, Quentin Delanque, who was allegedly attacked by an Antifa group earlier this month.
The 23-year-old student sustained a traumatic brain injury during a protest against far-left lawmaker Rima Hassan at the Sciences Po University in Lyon. Seven individuals have been charged in connection to his death.
According to local reports, many of the suspects are linked to Lyon’s Young Guard Antifa, established in 2018 by LFI MP Rafael Arnault. Among those charged is Jacques-Ellie Favreau, Arnault’s political assistant.
The circumstances surrounding Delanque’s death have ignited outrage and condemnation across the country. Demonstrators rallied under the banner “Justice for Quentin,” with local authorities estimating that around 3,200 attended the protests in Lyon.
Despite guidance from National Rally leader Jordan Bardella urging party members to avoid participation, protests also unfolded in other cities, including Rennes and Brest.
During the Lyon march, participants chanted slogans like “LFI conspirators, Antifa murderers” and “Young prison guards, liberate the city of Lyon.” Signs declaring “The far left kills” were also visible among the crowd.
Members of the anti-immigrant group Collectif Nemesis, whom Delanque was reportedly defending at the time of the attack, joined the protest. One participant expressed the importance of honoring Delanque, stating, “We came to honor Quentin because he protected us.”
Another protester emphasized the need to support Delanque’s family, sharing feelings of solidarity and expressing disbelief that anyone should suffer harm for their beliefs.
When questioned about joining what some call far-right factions, one participant expressed uncertainty about the term, pushing back against the labeling as they argued it does not fully capture their stance.
Meanwhile, Lyon’s Greens mayor, Grégory Doucet, had previously requested the demonstration be canceled, citing fears about potential violence from attendees. He voiced concerns over Lyon becoming a focal point for far-right activities.
Ultimately, the demonstration concluded largely peacefully, though some counter-protesters shouted remarks during the event. At its close, participants displayed a banner reading “Farewell, Comrades” and sang the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise.”
