Mass Protests Erupt Across France Against Far-Right National Rally
Thousands of people gathered in multiple cities across France on Monday evening to protest against the National Rally (RN) following its significant surge in the polls. The recent European elections and the announcement of the National Assembly's dissolution have sparked widespread opposition and mobilization against the far-right organization.
Paris Leads the Charge
In Paris, approximately 4,200 people assembled at Place de la République, according to police sources. The crowd, comprising mostly of young demonstrators, chanted slogans such as ‘Youth is boring the National Front’ and ‘Everyone hates Marine Le Pen’, referencing the historical context of the RN. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags alongside those of various unions like CGT and Unef, highlighting the deep-rooted grievances against the RN.
Among the demonstrators, Alice, a 24-year-old student, expressed her fear of a far-right government, stating, ‘The prospect of having a far-right Prime Minister in three weeks terrifies me.’ Similar sentiments were echoed by Alba Bourreau, 19, and a first-time voter who attended her first political protest.
Nationwide Protests and Responses
Other cities, including Marseille, Nantes, Rennes, and Bordeaux, saw sizeable protests. In Marseille, France’s second-largest city, 2,200 people rallied while in Nantes, over 4,400 demonstrators took to the streets. Reports from AFP highlighted heightened tensions, with incidents involving the use of tear gas in Nantes and clashes in Toulouse.
In Strasbourg, 950 people gathered, and in cities like Montpellier, Toulouse, and Besançon several thousand joined the demonstrations. The protests saw unified calls for a stronger left and youth involvement in political activism.
The Role of Youth and Educational Institutions
The student union L'Union Studente led the initiative to mobilize the youth, emphasizing the need for a united response against the far-right's rise. Demonstrations also took place in front of high schools like Henri IV in Paris, where students condemned the success of the RN and President Emmanuel Macron's political strategies. The protests highlighted deep concerns about the potential impact of a far-right government on France's democratic fabric and social policies.
- In Bordeaux, some 2,800 people gathered at Place de la Victoire, with protestors brandishing signs that read, ‘FN, RN of roots and hatred’ and ‘No to the Hate era’. Julia T., 30, remarked on her participation, drawing parallels to past anti-far-right mobilizations during Jean-Marie Le Pen's era.
- In Toulouse, incidents arose towards the end of the demonstration, with some protestors breaking windows and burning trash cans. The police intervened, using tear gas to disperse the crowd, resulting in two arrests.
- In cities like Marseille and Strasbourg, local elected officials joined the demonstrations, reinforcing the political stance against the RN. The call for a unified humanist front resonated strongly, with political figures urging parties to set aside their differences to combat the far-right.
