France reeled after 23-year-old Deranque died from head injuries following a violent confrontation at a university protest.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on February 12 in Lyon, on the sidelines of a small university protest organized by the far-right feminist group Némésis. According to participants’ accounts, 23-year-old Deranque was providing protection to the activists.
At some point, a confrontation began between the protesters and their opponents. Smartphone footage shows the young man lying on the ground, surrounded and kicked by a group of masked individuals.
Aftermath and National Impact
Two days later, Deranque died in hospital from head injuries. The activist’s death has shocked the country, sparking a debate about political violence and who is responsible for it.
Political Significance
This comes at a particularly sensitive moment in the electoral calendar – a year before the presidential elections and just before the March local elections.
