‘An orchestra being gassed should be an alarm signal’: the musical activists targeted in Paris

During recent protests in Paris, conductor Étienne Jarrier and his orchestra continued to perform despite police using teargas to disperse crowds. The Orchestre du Nouveau Monde, co-founded by Jarrier, aims to combine classical music with activism, focusing on social and climate justice. They have performed at various protests, using music to engage younger audiences. On the day of the protests, they faced direct teargas attacks, prompting Jarrier to stop the performance for safety. He expressed anger over the police's aggressive tactics, emphasizing the need for political dialogue rather than repression. The incident highlights a concerning shift in police response to peaceful demonstrations.