Switzerland: Large Protests Against Police Violence in Lausanne
Featured image: protests and clashes with police erupted in Lausanne. Source: AFP.
Hundreds of youths protested on the streets of Lausanne against a new case of police violence on Sunday 24th of August evening. During this incident, the acting by the police caused the death of a Swiss youth with migrant background after a police persecution. This is the third death in less than three months in Lausanne during a police intervention. There have been seven such deaths in the city and the wider Vaud region since 2016. Five cases involved men of African origin.
Moreover, after the death of the youth, police officers published racist messages in two WhatsApp groups. They made clear once more the reactionary and racist character of the repressive forces.
The struggling youth gathered and carried out protests from Sunday evening until Tuesday. They advanced towards the police stations and fired fireworks in the Prélaz district. The demonstrators also charged against the police, who responded by firing at least 54 tear gas grenades and also used a water cannon. Hundreds of protesters blocked the streets using burnt-out containers and bins. Some vehicles have been also damaged.
The local anti-fascist movement pointed out that fascists from other parts from Switzerland planned to travel to Lausanne to act as watchdogs of the State and attack the youth who are struggling against police violence.
The protesters have already demonstrated how they deal with Nazis by beating up one of them who was provoking the protesters:
The protests lasted until Tuesday. So far seven people have been arrested by the Swiss police.
