Paris: Thousands of people went down to the streets of France, including in Paris, to protest against racism and the growing influence of far -right politics, with some demonstrations becoming tense while the police collided with demonstrators.
Some demonstrators criticized Donald Trump’s US administration. In Paris, clashes broke out between the police and certain demonstrators.
The rallies occurred in the midst of a change to the right in French politics, the government undertakes to tighten immigration policies and border controls.
According to the Interior Ministry, nearly 91,000 people participated in demonstrations across France, 21,500 participating in the Rally in Paris.
Two people were arrested and three people, including a riot police officer – were injured in the Paris clashes, said the ministry. Elsewhere in France, three other arrests were made.
Many demonstrators have underlined the growing force of reactionary political forces, not only in France but also in the United States.
In Paris, thousands of people have filled out the streets, holding signpins such as: “Fascism is a Washington gangrene in Paris.”
Evelyne Dourille, a 74 -year -old retirement, has expressed his concern: “The extreme right is up everywhere in Europe. It is frightening because in France, we see extreme right ideas become more and more common, even among the ministers of this government.”
“ Alarming increase ” of racism
An American demonstrator expressed the need for similar demonstrations in the United States.
“America slides towards fascism,” said the 55 -year -old woman.
Aurelie finds, a legislator of the last party of France Unbowed (LFI), warned the growing popularity of the far -right party of Marine Le Pen.
“Far-right ideas even contaminate the government,” she said.
In Marseille, 3,300 people joined the demonstrations, while 2,600 joined Lille, according to police reports.
Some demonstrators have borne signs by reading “against state Islamophobia” and “Tesla is the new swastika”.
Ines Frehaut, a student attending her first demonstration, expressed her alarm in the face of comments made by the Minister of the Interior of France.
“When you see what Bruno Retailleau said about Islam, Algeria and wearing the veil, it’s serious!” She said.
The demonstrations took place one day after international day for the elimination of racial discrimination.
“The situation is serious,” said the Human Rights League, warning of an “alarming increase” of racist incidents.
Dominique Sopo, head of SOS racism, condemned “the world’s reactionary offensive against foreigners and their children, against Muslims”, as well as the increase in racist and anti -Semitic acts.
Before the demonstrations, the LFI party sparked the controversy by publishing an image of Cyril Hanouna – one of the most influential right -wing media figures in France – as part of a campaign urging people to attend anti -racism gatherings.
Hanouna, born into a Jewish family who had immigrated from Tunisia, was presented in an image that said that the criticisms echoed the anti -Semitic tropes of the Third Reich.
The key figures of the LFI later admitted that the image publication was an “error” and withdrew it.
