Clashes at Margny-lès-Compiègne during white march for Paul Tancre
Two people arrested during a white march bringing together 300 to 400 people in Margny-lès-Compiègne. Clashes broke out between Travellers and police forces.
Two arrests during white march for Paul Tancre in Margny-lès-Compiègne
According to courrier-picard.fr, approximately 250 police officers were deployed on Sunday 6 September 2026 in Margny-lès-Compiègne to oversee the white march organised in memory of Paul Tancre, a Traveller who died on 22 August following a refusal to comply with municipal police officers.
Between 300 and 400 people participated in the gathering. Before 3 p.m., tensions escalated and two individuals were arrested by police forces. Among them was Ritchy Thibault, known as "le Bohémien", a former collaborator of the Seine-et-Marne MP Ersilia Soudais, elected under the La France Insoumise banner.
The Travellers' spokesperson wished to reach the municipal police station. This is when police intervened. The face-off between participants wanting to cross the barriers and police forces quickly deteriorated: a tear-gas canister was launched and the march organiser was struck with a baton.
In mid-afternoon, protesters made the release of the two arrested persons a condition for resuming the march. Following discussions between the Compiègne commissioner and the Travellers' mediator, the procession was eventually able to resume.
Source: Google News LU FR