Nahel M., 17, was shot in the chest at point-blank range in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday in an incident captured on video that has reignited debate in France about police tactics.

A march in Nahel’s memory was led by his mother Mounia who waved at the crowds from an open top truck wearing a white T-shirt with the slogan “Justice for Nahel 27/06/23” and also brandishing a heart shape.

According to police estimates, 6,200 people turned out.

“No justice, no peace!”, the crowds chanted, adding: “Everyone hates the police!”.

There was no sign of the kind of violence that has marked the late night protests over the past 48 hours across France, during the main demo, but police fired tear gas to disperse people as the protest ended. they said a small minority of demonstrators had hurled missiles at the Nanterre préfecture. 

Some carried signs such as “Police kill”, “How many other Nahels were not filmed?” or even “Our lives are in danger”.

Assa Traore, a well-known activist against police violence whose brother died after being arrested in 2016, told the rally: “The whole world must see that when we walk for Nahel, we walk for all those who were not filmed.”

The local MP from France’s Green party Sabrina Sebaihi said: “This march is a moment of meditation and mourning for the family, it is important to respect it.”