French authorities block a memorial march for a slain traditional Catholic activist, shielding far-left militants accused of beating him to death.

Clashes Erupt Outside Far-Left Event

This month, violent clashes broke out near Sciences Po Lyon during a conference by far-left MEP Rima Hassan of La France Insoumise (LFI). Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old mathematics student and member of the right-wing Collectif Némésis security group, protected anti-conference protesters, including women. Around 50 Némésis activists confronted antifascist militants, allegedly from the dissolved Jeune Garde. Deranque suffered fatal head trauma from kicks by at least six masked individuals.

Death Prompts Murder Probe and Arrests

Deranque died on St. Valentine’s Day in a hospital after receiving the last rites as a traditional Catholic linked to Academia Christiana and Audace.

Prosecutors under Thierry Dran reclassified the case as murder on February 15. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin directly blamed Jeune Garde and ultra-left groups. By February 16, authorities had arrested 11 suspects, including two parliamentary assistants to the founder of Jeune Garde and LFI MP Raphaël Arnault. A Paris protest that day demanded justice for Deranque.

Mayor’s Move Stifles Catholic Memorial

Lyon municipal authorities, responding to the violence, moved to block a proposed memorial march for Deranque, citing public order concerns. This decision infuriates traditional Catholic and nationalist communities, who view it as protecting far-left aggressors while silencing mourning for a young patriot defending shared values. Far-right leaders like National Rally’s Jordan Bardella accused LFI of enabling the killers, framing the incident as political murder. Government scrutiny targets both extremes, but arrests focus on left-wing ties.

Political Fallout Intensifies Pre-Election

The killing heightens tensions ahead of municipal elections, with National Rally leveraging the narrative of left impunity to push a “cordon sanitaire” against LFI. Arnault condemned the death but faces direct links through his arrested aides. Videos show mutual aggression, including far-right use of weapons and antifascists kicking the downed Deranque. Long-term, this escalates risks of street violence and dissolution efforts against groups like Academia Christiana, straining university security and polarizing French society.

Government sources confirm Jeune Garde responsibility, while left-leaning views note Deranque’s extremist demo history. The ongoing probe reviews footage and witnesses, with no convictions yet. This case underscores threats to traditional values from radical left militancy, echoing frustrations with unchecked ideological violence.

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Jeune Garde, an antifascist group in the French authorities’ crosshairs

Young French traditional Catholic activist murdered during clashes in Lyon

The death of young far-right extremist in fight with antifascists casts shadow over the municipal elections in France