Thousands March Across France Against Draft Police Force Law

Demonstrations took place in Paris and other French cities on Sunday in opposition to a draft law governing the legitimate use of force, which critics describe as a "licence to kill" for police and gendarmes. The bill was approved by deputies in the National Assembly in July; it states that any police official who uses force is presumed to have acted legally when using their weapon. The legislation now awaits a vote in the Senate. Among those joining the Paris march were politicians, rights groups and other activists, including Mathilde Panot of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party. Addressing the crowd, Panot said, "The police kill already," and urged senators to reject the bill.