According to AFP, tens of thousands of people across France took to the streets on Saturday, March 23, to protest against racism and the government’s tougher immigration policies. The demonstrations, held in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lille, highlighted growing concerns over the rise of far-right politics in the country. The French Interior Ministry reported that nearly 91,000 people participated nationwide, with around 21,500 protesters gathering in the capital.
In Paris, the demonstrations turned tense as clashes erupted between protesters and police, leading to two arrests. Authorities confirmed that three people, including a riot police officer, sustained injuries. Outside Paris, three more arrests were made. Protesters carried signs with messages like “Against state Islamophobia” and “Tesla is the new swastika,” criticizing not only French policies but also global far-right movements. Some also condemned the U.S. administration of Donald Trump, with placards reading, “Fascism is gangrene from Washington to Paris.”
Among the demonstrators was 74-year-old Evelyne Dourille, who expressed concern about the normalization of far-right ideologies, stating, “The far right is on the rise everywhere in Europe. It’s frightening because in France, we see far-right ideas becoming more and more commonplace, even among government ministers.” Lawmaker Aurelie Trouve from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party warned that far-right views are influencing even mainstream politics.
The protests took place a day after the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Human rights organizations voiced alarm, with the Human Rights League warning of an “alarming increase” in racist incidents. Dominique Sopo, president of SOS Racisme, condemned what he called a “global reactionary offensive against foreigners and Muslims” and a rise in anti-Semitic acts.
A controversy also emerged ahead of the protests when the LFI party posted an image of right-wing media figure Cyril Hanouna in an attempt to encourage participation. Critics accused the party of using anti-Semitic imagery, leading LFI leaders to later admit the mistake and remove the image.
