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France Sees Nationwide Marches Against Racism and the Far Right on Eve of Municipal Elections

Organizers cast the mobilization as a pre‑election show of force against the far right.

Overview

  • Around 85 to 100 rallies were held across the country, with major marches in Paris, Lyon and Marseille.
  • Organizers claimed about 100,000 participants in Paris, while authorities counted 11,000 in Lyon and roughly 2,500 in Marseille.
  • Prefectures also reported about 2,000 in Toulouse, more than 1,000 in Bordeaux and 650 in Lille.
  • Demonstrations were largely peaceful, though police fired tear gas in Lyon after fireworks were launched toward officers, according to AFP.
  • Protesters denounced racism, police violence and the war in the Middle East, as families invoked recent cases such as the death of El Hacene Diarra in Paris.