Protests Against Racism: Unity in Action, but Divisions Within the Left

On Saturday, March 22, more than a hundred protests took place across France, notably in Paris, to denounce racism on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This mobilization saw the left divide, particularly after the controversy surrounding La France Insoumise and an AI-generated image featuring TV host Cyril Hanouna. The image, which has since been removed, was accused of resembling anti-Semitic posters from the 1930s, sparking outrage from several political and activist figures.

Unity Against Racism, but Tensions Within the Left

Dominique Sopo, president of SOS Racisme, reaffirmed the importance of defending a France based on equality and respect, far from stigmatization. Sophie Binet, the general secretary of the CGT, strongly condemned the “unacceptable” visuals and emphasized the presence of associations fighting against anti-Semitism within the ranks of the union-led protest. However, LFI (La France Insoumise) retaliated, with Manuel Bompard stating that the mobilization would be even stronger despite the media backlash. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, for his part, denounced the media attacks on his movement, a stance that irritated several left-wing figures, including Olivier Faure, the head of the Socialist Party, who called the situation “serious” and “irresponsible.”

Protesters in the Streets: A Mobilization Full of Solidarity

In the streets of Paris, protesters, numbering 21,500 according to the police, marched under anti-fascist and humanist slogans. The atmosphere became tense due to police interventions, which split the protest into different groups and used tear gas near Place de la Nation. Despite these tensions, the mobilization was marked by messages of solidarity, particularly towards Palestinians and racialized populations. For several participants, like Ari and Christiane, this protest was a way to oppose the rise of the far-right and fascist ideas, which they believe are increasingly present, even at the highest levels of the state.