Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Paris and cities across France on Saturday, rallying against racism and the growing influence of far-right ideologies. The demonstrations, which coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, drew an estimated 62,000 people nationwide, according to police reports.
In Paris, the march turned tense at times, with scuffles breaking out between protesters and police. Many demonstrators carried signs condemning not only the far right in France but also its rise in other parts of the world, including the United States.
“Fascism is gangrene from Washington to Paris,” read one placard, while others waved Palestinian flags in solidarity with global anti-racism movements.
Evelyne Dourille, a 74-year-old pensioner, voiced her concern over the increasing normalization of far-right rhetoric.
“It’s terrifying to see these ideas becoming mainstream—even within the government itself,” she said.
Similar sentiments echoed in Marseille, where 3,300 people marched, and in Lille, where 2,600 took to the streets.
The protests also targeted what some described as state-endorsed Islamophobia. Placards carried messages such as “Against state Islamophobia” and “Tesla is the new swastika.”
Ines Frehaut, a student and first-time protester, expressed worry over comments made by France’s hardline Interior Minister.
“When you hear what he says about Islam, Algeria, and the veil, it’s deeply troubling,” she said.
Human rights organizations issued strong statements ahead of the demonstrations, warning of an alarming rise in racist and anti-Semitic incidents.
“There is a global reactionary offensive against foreigners and their children, against Muslims,” said Dominique Sopo, head of SOS Racisme.
The political backdrop to the protests turned even more contentious after the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party sparked controversy by including an image of Cyril Hanouna—a prominent media figure of Tunisian-Jewish descent—in their campaign materials for the march. Critics accused LFI of playing into anti-Semitic tropes, leading the party to retract the image and acknowledge the misstep.
As France grapples with tightening immigration policies and increasing far-right influence, Saturday’s protests signaled a growing resistance from citizens determined to push back against what they see as a dangerous political shift.
