French protesters are standing up to the far right ahead of snap elections

Antiracism groups will join French unions and a brand-new left-wing coalition in protests in Paris on Saturday against the surging nationalist far right as frenzied campaigning is underway ahead of snap parliamentary elections.

PARIS — Anti-racism groups joined French unions and a brand-new left-wing coalition in protests in Paris and across France on Saturday against the surging nationalist far right as frenzied campaigning is underway ahead of snap parliamentary elections.

The French Interior Ministry said 250,000 people turned out to protest, 75,000 of them in Paris. Despite rainy and windy weather, those who fear that the elections will produce France’s first far-right government since World War II gathered at Place de la Republique before marching through eastern Paris. Up to 21,000 police and gendarmes were deployed.

The protesters held placards reading “Liberty for all, Equality for all and Fraternity with all” — a reference to France’s national motto — and “Let’s break frontiers, documents for all, no to the immigration bill.” Some chanted “Free Palestine, viva Palestina,” and wore keffiyeh scarves.

Among them was Nour Cekar, a 16 year-old high school student from the Paris region, who has French and Algerian parents and wears the hijab.

“To me, the extreme right is a danger because it supports an ideology based on the fear of the other, whereas we are all French citizens despite our differences,” she told The Associated Press.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/france-protests-anti-far-right-snap-elections-rcna157325

---