Summary
Tens of thousands protested across France on against racism and the rise of the far right, with 91,000 participants nationwide and 21,500 in Paris.
Demonstrators condemned the influence of reactionary politics in France and the U.S., including the growing popularity of Marine Le Pen’s far-right party.
Some protesters criticized government ministers for embracing far-right ideas.
The protests coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination amid increasing racist and anti-Semitic acts.
Do not let the far right anywhere near the seats of power. The USA is your cautionary tail. As we crumble don’t forget.
If France can do it so can us here in the United States
I would argue that we are. 21,000 in Paris is very similar to 34,000 in Denver. The thing us Americans need to get better at is organizing ourselves. We shouldn’t require leaders like Bernie Sanders and AOC to get us to show up. The regular people of France are amazing at protesting on their own, and we desperately need that kind of energy.
The thumbnail has a man holding a sign that says “Make Racists Afraid Again”. I’m fairly certain they never were here in the US in my time (1980’s and on). They have gone through multiple states of empowerment, but I’ve never seen evidence of them being afraid. Props to France if that ever occurred.
