“Enough is enough.” The 8th arrondissement town hall in Paris issued a strong declaration this Sunday morning, demanding a “zero gathering” policy for the Champs-Élysées. This urgent call comes in the wake of widespread violence that erupted on Saturday evening, overshadowing Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the Champions League final against Arsenal.

The municipal office asserted that on Saturday night, the renowned Champs-Élysées avenue and its surrounding areas transformed from a festive venue into a “scene of urban guerrilla warfare.” Consequently, the statement clarifies: “Since it is impossible to celebrate a match without descending into riotous behaviour, the only sensible solution is a new approach: zero gathering.” This effectively means an end to all public assemblies on what is often referred to as the world’s most beautiful avenue. The night’s unrest led to a significant number of arrests across France, with 780 individuals detained, and left 57 police and gendarmerie officers injured amidst widespread vandalism, marring what should have been a jubilant celebration.

Authorities criticized amid escalating violence

Catherine Lécuyer, the Republican mayor for the 8th arrondissement, delivered a scathing assessment, describing the night’s outcome as an “indictment of public powerlessness.” She detailed numerous acts of aggression, including multiple assaults against law enforcement personnel, mortar fire directed at police and residential buildings, widespread arson involving bins and vehicles, damage to police cars, and extensive looting. Lécuyer further lamented, “We are no longer managing overflows; we are enduring them. The preventive strategy has reached its limits. The concept of ‘zero damage’ no longer holds against the organized violence of groups who don’t even bother to disguise themselves as supporters.” The town hall expressed grave concerns, fearing “a fatal tragedy,” and concluded with a resolute stance: “You don’t channel chaos; you eradicate it.”

Mayor Lécuyer reiterated her call for a paradigm shift, stating on social media that despite the exemplary professionalism of law enforcement, the “zero damage” strategy had failed. She urged the state to implement a ban on high-risk gatherings to “sanctify the Champs-Élysées.” In contrast, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez commented that the disturbances aligned with “the situation we had foreseen and therefore anticipated.” Official figures indicated 283 arrests in Paris and the surrounding region, with 8,000 police and gendarmerie officers deployed to maintain order.

Despite the widespread disturbances, the planned celebratory event for the returning PSG players and the Champions League trophy in the capital will proceed. This event is scheduled to take place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, on the Champ-de-Mars, commencing at 4 PM this Sunday.