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

According to The Guardian, new World Orchestra’s musicians are shocked at French police targeting peaceful gathering with teargas As riot police encircled Place de la République last week, lobbing teargas canisters to disperse demonstrators, the conductor Étienne Jarrier and his orchestra played on.

They kept playing even after everyone else had disappeared and teargas was being fired into the central Paris square. “There were teargas canisters landing in the double bass and music stand cases, and…

This world story centres on France. Names and organisations mentioned in the coverage include Paris, Étienne Jarrier and World Orchestra.

Why it matters

Events like this can shape regional stability, diplomacy and humanitarian conditions beyond the country where they unfold.

Key details

Location

France · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

23 Oct 2026, 17:24 IST

Key names

Paris, Étienne Jarrier, World Orchestra, French

Section

World

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The Guardian‘An orchestra being gassed should be an alarm signal’: the musical activists targeted in Paris 23 Oct, 17:24

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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