It is also forbidden to “sit or lie down when this constitutes an obstacle to the movement of pedestrians”. The measure sparked controversy in the city of Angoulême.
The city of Angouleme in the west of France, published a municipal decree that forbids sitting, lying or standing in the streets of the center . The decree considers these “abusive trades” of the public space, which can be penalized with a fine of 35 euros .
“Any abusive and prolonged occupation of streets and other public spaces by people alone or in groups, stationary or not very mobile, who are not in transit and who create nuisances (noise, damage, threats, etc.) disturbing the peace and tranquility of passers-by or residents is prohibited”, specifies the decree, consulted by Info in French .
According to the text, it is also prohibited “to sit or lie down when it constitutes an obstacle to the movement of pedestrians and to access to buildings, as well as to stand up when it hinders the movement of people, passage or safety on public roads and spaces”.
The town’s deputy mayor, Jean-Philippe Pousset, one of the signatories of the decree, says groups standing in the town center are a frequent nuisance for residents. “The presence in certain streets, squares, public squares and private roads open to public transport of groups exhibiting disturbing, provocative or obstructive behavior is common.”
According to Pousset, people are often under the “influence of alcohol” and interfere with the free movement of pedestrians.
The city of just over 50,000 inhabitants is world famous for hosting a major Comic Strip Festival and attracts tourists throughout the year to its historic centre, built in a medieval city on a hill on the banks of the Charente.
frequent riots
For the deputy mayor, the objective of the decree is clear: “It is a decree which manages the peaceful occupation of public space”, he explained to France Bleu La Rochelle radio. “There are 200 of them in Angoulême and they do a lot of delinquency: they drink despite there being an order against alcohol, they often have dogs and they are violent.”
Pousset is categorical. “This law is a way of saying: move or go, or behave differently.”
“This is not a decree against begging,” insists the deputy mayor. “Whether someone begs without disturbing the public space is not a problem. A person lying in the middle of a pedestrian street, yes.
The left opposition denounced the decree. Local leader Raphaël Manzanas said it was “an attack on freedom of movement. Asking 35 euros from people asking for alms is a bad publicity stunt for Angoulême,” he told Le Parisien.
Pousset promises to handle each situation “with finesse”. Soon there will be an internship accompanied by “practical cases” within the municipal police, explained the deputy mayor.
Anyone caught standing in these areas can be fined 35 euros. A repeat offense can cost 150 euros.
The text was published on July 11, after a series of demonstrations that took place in the city to denounce police violence.
Source: Latercera
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