A demonstration attended by thousands took place in Paris against xenophobia, organised by leading trade unions (CGT, Solidaires) and human rights organisations.
The protest was sparked by a surge in racist attacks in the French media – particularly within billionaire Vincent Bolloré’s media empire – against left-wing mayors of immigrant background who won the recent elections.
The protesters spoke out against the legitimisation of the rhetoric of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party, which is the Kremlin’s main political ally in France.
Аctivists have warned that a potential victory for the far right in next year’s presidential election would undermine the rights of minorities and women; as a result, left-wing forces have turned the march into the launch of a campaign to counter the pro-Russian and xenophobic agenda in French politics.