<https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/21/demonstrators-decry-french-bill-to-curb-police-images>
Thousands of people in France’s capital and other cities have protested against a new bill by the government that would make it a crime to circulate an image of a police officer’s face.
Under the draft law, tabled in Parliament by President Emmanuel Macron’s governing La Republique En Marche party, sharing images of on-duty police “with the aim of harming their physical or psychological integrity” will be punishable with up to a year in prison and a maximum 45,000-euro ($53,360) fine.
Other proposed measures include allowing police to use camera-equipped drones and easier access to CCTV footage.
Opponents to the draft law say the measure would infringe journalists’ freedom to report, while supporters say police officers and their families need protection from harassment, both online and in person when off duty.
On the Trocadero Square in western Paris, rights activists, trade unionists and journalists on Saturday chanted “Everybody wants to film the police!” and “Freedom!”, as police wearing riot gear stood by.
In addition to representatives of the media, others included members of the “Yellow Vest” and “Extinction Rebellion” movements, along with individuals waving unions’ flags and those of the Communist and Green parties.
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