Nearly 3,200 people took part in a march in Lyon on Saturday to honor Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old student who died from injuries sustained in clashes with the far left a week earlier. The demonstration proceeded calmly, but the prefecture announced it would refer the case to justice over Nazi salutes and racist and homophobic insults observed during the procession. Enhanced security measures were implemented to prevent incidents.
The march in homage to Quentin Deranque, organized by the far-right movement, gathered around 3,200 people in Lyon on Saturday, February 21, 2026, according to the Rhône prefecture. The 23-year-old died on February 14 from injuries received on February 12 during violent clashes on the sidelines of a conference by Rima Hassan at Sciences Po Lyon, involving nationalist and antifascist militants. Seven people have already been charged in the ongoing investigation.
The organizers had imposed strict guidelines: no flags other than French ones, no political distinctive signs, no balaclavas or visible tattoos, to avoid overflows and comply with the prefecture's conditions for authorizing the demonstration. The procession, starting from Place Jean Jaurès for a 1.4 km route ending on Rue Victor Lagrange—the site of the assault—proceeded without major incidents. Portraits of the deceased were carried at the front, and wreaths of flowers were laid there, accompanied by a banner reading 'Adieu camarade'.
Speeches were given, including one by nationalist militant Raphaël Ayma, who stated: 'We will win because we are the good guys!' A mass had been held earlier at Saint-Georges Church. In total, nearly 3,700 people demonstrated across France, with gatherings in Rennes, Brest, Saint-Brieuc, and Châteauroux. In Rome, a similar homage took place without partisan banners.
Despite the general calm, the prefecture identified Nazi salutes and insults such as 'Down with the wogs! The fags!' via videos on social media. One individual was arrested for carrying a weapon. Antifascist counter-demonstrations gathered about a hundred people in total. Lyon's mayor, Grégory Doucet, had requested the march's cancellation, fearing violence, while Emmanuel Macron called for calm and announced a meeting on violent groups.
Quentin Deranque's family did not participate and requested a homage without violence or politicization. Figures like Yvan Benedetti and Marc de Cacqueray-Valménier were present, but the Rassemblement National advised its elected officials to abstain.
