On December 7, 2022, a group of hooded individuals armed with iron bars apparently associated with far-right groups attempted to enter an amphitheater at Bordeaux Montaigne University to disrupt an event.

Louis Boyard and Carlos Martens Bilong, members of La France Insoumise, a left-wing political party, spoke with students about student living conditions at a university amphitheater. A group of 20 to 30 individuals shouted racist slogans from outside and attempted to enter the amphitheater. Security personnel prevented the group from entering; three security personnel were reportedly injured.

After the group was unable to enter the amphitheater, they reportedly tried to intimidate organizers and attendees of a play that was occurring at the same time. Police reportedly dispersed the group.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks by individuals in an apparent attempt to harm or intimidate attendees at a campus event. State and university authorities must take reasonable measures to ensure safe campus conditions for students, and protesters must refrain from violence. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, violent attacks on campus undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/4013865-20221208-bordeaux-militants-cagoules-armes-barres-fer-perturbe-conference-deux-deputes-lfi
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/politique/la-conference-de-deux-deputes-lfi-perturbee-l-universite-bordeaux-montaigne-denonce-des-violences-7562969
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/gironde/bordeaux/bordeaux-des-militants-d-extreme-droite-armes-de-matraques-perturbent-une-conference-de-deputes-lfi-2670992.html