Thousands march in Lyon after killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque

Some 3,000 people joined a march in France on Saturday after the killing of a far-right activist in an incident that shocked the nation.

Quentin Deranque, 23, died in hospital from brain injuries last week after being beaten in Lyon, where clashes between far-right and far-left groups have become more frequent.

A minute's silence was held before the start of the march, organised by far-right groups, which saw some demonstrators hold white tulips while others carried banners and placards.

Many people dressed in black, some with their faces partially covered, and chanted "justice for Quentin" and "antifa assassin".

The march took place under heavy police scrutiny with no major incidents recorded, but the local authority said it had reported Nazi salutes and racist ‌insults filmed during the march to the prosecutor, after videos circulated on social media.

French President Emmanuel Macron had called for calm ahead of the demonstration, saying: "This is a moment of remembrance and respect for this young compatriot who was killed, for his family and loved ones. That must come first.

"And then it is a moment of firmness and responsibility."

Mr Deranque's parents also called for calm and did not take part in the march.

The 23-year-old died after being attacked during a fight that erupted between far-left and far-right supporters, on the margins of a student meeting where a far-left lawmaker was a keynote speaker.

Clashes between the two sides have become frequent in Lyon. The fighting often takes the form of organised street battles in the city, sometimes involving groups of several dozen people.

The city is seen by intelligence services as the cradle of far-right activism in France.

Its left-leaning militant groups have been formed more recently, in reaction to the many far-right groups that have been active for several decades.

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Seven people are ⁠under formal investigation for their alleged roles in Mr Deranque's murder, including a former aide to a lawmaker for the ‌hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, which has condemned the killing.

LFI's opponents have accused it of stirring up violence and tensions with its combative far-left politics. Its leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon, has condemned the violence and insisted his party is not to blame for the tragedy.

(c) Sky News 2026: Thousands march in Lyon after killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque