By Dominique Vidalon
Are you ready to join the movement against far-right extremism in France? Well, demonstrations are happening right now in Paris and cities all over the country to protest the rise of the National Rally (RN) before the upcoming French parliamentary elections.
After the recent surge of the RN in the European elections, a massive turnout of 350,000 people is expected to march, with 21,000 officers on duty to ensure safety. Various groups, including labour unions, student organizations, and rights groups, have called for these rallies to oppose the anti-immigration and eurosceptic policies of the RN.
Over 150 marches are planned in cities like Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon, and Lille. In Paris, a march with an estimated 100,000 participants started at Place de La Republique and will proceed through the Bastille square to Nation.
Sophie Binet, a leader of the hard-left CGT union, expressed her concerns at Place de La Republique, saying, “We are marching because we are extremely worried that (the RN’s head) Jordan Bardella could become the next Prime Minister … We want to prevent this disaster.”
A 22-year-old student named Carol-Ann Juste, attending her first protest in Paris, voiced her worries about the party’s racist legacy and stated her determination to “preserve a country of human rights, freedom, and tolerance.”
As Cecilia Lormeau, a 34-year-old teacher supporting the Popular Front, noted, “It is important to show we are mobilised and that the RN is not the majority of the people.”
The upcoming snap legislative election on June 30 and July 7 was called by President Macron after his centrist alliance suffered a defeat against the RN in the European Parliament polls. Early polls suggest that the RN could emerge as the leading party and potentially form the next government.
An opinion poll by Le Point magazine forecasted RN leading in the first round of the parliamentary election with 29.5% of votes, closely followed by the Popular Front at 28.5%, while Macron’s camp trailed at 18%.
Amidst the political turmoil, banners in Tours, western France, displayed messages of unity against far-right ideology, with phrases like “For liberties, for rights, for a social and democratic republic, against far-right ideas and against racism”.
Join the movement and stand against hate and discrimination. Let your voice be heard against the rise of extremism in France. Together, we can make a difference and uphold the values of freedom, equality, and tolerance!
