‘An orchestra being gassed should be an alarm signal’: the musical activists targeted in Paris
The New World Orchestra, a Paris-based ensemble known for blending classical music with social and climate activism, was targeted by police with teargas during a protest. The incident has sparked concerns regarding the treatment of peaceful artistic demonstrators.
Why it matters
The event highlights the intersection of art and political protest, raising questions about the limits of civil disobedience and the state's response to activist groups.
The New World Orchestra at Place de la République last Saturday./Alamy Live News The New World Orchestra at Place de la République last Saturday./Alamy Live News France ‘An orchestra being gassed should be an alarm signal’: the musical activists targeted in Paris New World Orchestra’s musicians are shocked at French police targeting peaceful gathering with teargas
Prefer the Guardian on Google A s riot police encircled Place de la République last week, lobbing teargas canisters to disperse demonstrators, the conductor Étienne Jarrier and his orchestra played on. They kept playing even after everyone else had disappeared and teargas was being fired into the central Paris square.
It was only when Jarrier noticed his musicians were being directly targeted that he ordered them to stop. “There were teargas canisters landing in the double bass and music stand cases, and starting fires the musicians had to stamp out,” he told the Guardian.
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