Last Thursday, France was rocked by the murder of 23-year-old student Quentin Deranqua, who was brutally beaten to death on the streets of Lyon, succumbing to brain injuries. Prior to his death, Quentin had been providing informal protection to the conservative feminist movement Némesis during a protest, an action that would ultimately cost him his life. Investigations suggest that members of radical left-wing militias called Jeune Garde waited for Quentin and his friends before launching a violent attack against them.

As authorities investigated the murder, nine individuals, mostly connected to radical leftist backgrounds, were either questioned or arrested, including a parliamentary assistant. The violent act rippled through the entire political spectrum in France, with reactions from President Macron to conservatives and the left, reaffirming the idea that those who often brandish anti-fascism may closely adhere to violent practices themselves. This incident further underscores the ongoing tensions between various political and social movements in France, particularly regarding their responses to controversial issues like feminism and radicalism.

The entire incident unfolded within the context of Némesis's resistance against radical left factions, drawing national and international scrutiny on the implications of political violence and civil rights. As Quentin becomes a symbol of non-violence in these discussions, the complexities of the political landscape in France are highlighted, illustrating the challenges of navigating such polarized environments.