Brav-M: are there any chances for the success of the petition to disband the brigade?

Within hours, the number of people signing a petition calling for the dissolution of Brav-M doubled. From 21,000 this Sunday morning, it has grown to over 42,000 supporters this afternoon, as of this writing. And the counter continues to grow.

The document, posted on a special platform of the National Assembly by one Jan Milleriu, provides an overview of the various actions attributed to the Brigade to Suppress Motorized Violence in Paris, in particular after the outbreak of the 49.3 government, which is synonymous with the passage to strengthen the pension reform project.

“Far from guaranteeing a return to pacification, its action is fueling tensions, including with regard to the police,” reads the petition, which describes the brigade’s “method of intervention” and evokes “the memory of voltigeurs, police duos on motorcycles to disperse the demonstrators, the brigade was disbanded in 1986 after the murder of Malik Ussekin, who was beaten by three voltigeurs on the sidelines of student protests. “Let’s stop the massacre,” concludes the petition.

Since then, it has been massively broadcast on social networks. She is especially supported by the deputies from La France insoumise. Three of them, Thomas Portes, Antoine Léoman ​​and Hugo Bernalichis, also sent a letter to the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin this Wednesday, March 22, on the eve of the birth of the petition. As our colleagues from Franceinfo told us, they drew attention to “observed deviations in the methods of maintaining order” and to the “disproportionate use of force” by this brigade.

Displayed on the Assembly website from 100,000 signatures

But to what extent does this petition have a chance to be discussed in Parliament? “Any adult who has French citizenship or permanent residence in France can submit or sign a petition on the National Assembly petition platform,” the institution states on its website. And he continues: “Petitions may be the subject of discussion in a committee, which may include the first signatories.”

The first level, set at 100,000 signatures, also allows the petition to be posted on the Assembly’s website “for greater visibility”. It can then be transferred, in accordance with its field of activity, to one of the eight standing commissions (“for cultural and educational affairs”, “for economic affairs”, “foreign affairs”, “social affairs”, “national defense and armed forces”, “sustainable development and regional planning”, “finance” or, finally, “laws”).

And if the petition finally gets half a million signatures from at least 30 foreign departments or communities, the petition could get into Hemicycle. “The Conference of Presidents of the National Assembly may also decide to organize debates in open session,” the institution continues.

Launched in October 2020, the platform currently has 219 open petitions on topics ranging from extending maternity leave to ending intensive farming, including the price of heating. But so far, none of them has reached the stage of consideration in an open meeting.