Rallies in France demand ‘End state of emergency!’

Militant/Claude Bleton

PARIS — Tens of thousands protested in nearly 70 cities across France Jan. 30 demanding the government of President Francois Hollande end the state of emergency declared in November.

It was the first public protest against the state of emergency since the government imposed it, banning demonstrations, imposing restrictions on political rights and giving cops freer rein to spy on and throw Muslims and others into detention or house arrest. The rulers insisted the moves — which they said they will extend indefinitely, writing it into the country’s constitution — should be accepted in the name of responding to brutal attacks by Islamic State supporters here that killed 130 people.

The protest here, some 5,000 strong, was organized by the League of Human Rights; the CGT, the main trade union confederation in France; and a multitude of other organizations, including many representing immigrants and undocumented workers.

The government also announced plans to revoke French citizenship from anyone with dual nationality who is convicted on terrorism charges.

— CLAUDE BLETON AND NAT LONDON