The May 28th 1952 is held with Paris the demonstration against the general Ridgway , in protest against the arrival in France of the American general Matthew Ridgway, marked (wrongly) by the Communists to use bacteriological weapons in Korea.
Causes of the demonstration
At the time of the
War of Korea, and after the successful counter-offensive of the troops of
UNO ordered by the American general Matthew Ridgway, the international communist Mouvement shows American to use bacteriological weapons in Korea and China. This charge then appeared completely unfounded. The American general nevertheless will copiously be criticized by the communist press, which will call it " Ridgway the peste" or " the general microbien".
Unfolding and violences
Also, the
May 28th 1952, the Mouvement of peace (then radio-controlled by the Communists) calls with a demonstration in Paris against the arrival of Ridgway in
France, at the time of its nomination with the head of the allied forces in Europe (under the aegis of NATO). The mass demonstration implies many communist sympathizers and degenerates quickly into confrontations with the police force. These échauffourés make many victims (a death in the demonstrators and of tens of wounded). The arrests multiply and the seat of the Party is searched.
The arrest of Duclos and " the business of the pigeons"
The evening even,
Jacques Duclos, then number one of the
French Communist party in the absence of
Maurice Thorez (in convalescence with
Moscow) is arrété, then accused for attack with the state security after the discovery of a
Revolver and Pigeon S in the trunk of its car. For
Charles Brune, then Minister of Interior Department, the two birds are carrier pigeons, proof of the treachery of Duclos towards the Republic: ridiculous declaration, quickly invalidated by the police investigation. Imprisoned a time with the
Prison of Health, the Communist leader is released, without the opinion being hardly moved any.
See too
Internal bond