Thousands demonstrate against far right across France

Paris police said 3,000 people gathered in Paris on Monday evening, at a demonstration against the far right, which made historic gains in the European elections on Sunday. Other gatherings took place around the country.

Thousands of people gathered in several cities across France on Monday, June 10, in the evening, following the far-right Rassemblement National’s surge at the polls in the European elections and French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of a dissolution of the Assemblée Nationale.

Paris police said 3,000 people had gathered on the Place de la République in Paris at 8 pm. Many of them were young people, chanting with middle fingers raised, slogans such as “Everybody hates Marine Le Pen.”

“The prospect of having a far-right prime minister in three weeks terrifies me,” said Alice, a 24-year-old student. Alba Bourreau, 19, an arts student, was taking part in her “first political demonstration,” having voted on Sunday for the first time, saying she’s “ready to come and demonstrate as much as we need to.” “We’ve come to mobilize against fascism, and because we’re fed up with this image that France votes right or far right. The left also exists. It’s in the streets tonight,” said Luna, 19.

nifty,
@nifty@lemmy.world avatar

EU citizens are too busy criticizing Americans to vote

/s

What were the official turn out percentages?

loutr,
@loutr@sh.itjust.works avatar

51% in France, a couple points more than last time. Turn out is usually low for European elections.

And actually people were too busy blaming Europe for all their problems to vote.

JeffKerman1999,

Oh wow! Maybe they should have voted? I mean protesting is all fine and dandy but what will that accomplish? It’s not like the fash will listen to anyone…

wafflez,

Forget the /s?

menas,

The most “anti-fascist” parliament group (LFI) is the same that vote “yes” for spying instant messenger. I did vote; but I couldn’t blame people for feeling betrayed by parties. We are, and shall not expect otherwise unless we threat those the same people we send too parliament by direct actions. Organizing on our needs make people vote, but voting do not lead to class based organization

VirtualOdour,

So just like in America the left felt too moral and special to vote pragmatically so we end up with hard right then the hard left complain and take no responsibility.

menas,

menas

If there were 49% of “to radical leftist” in France, we sure do not need election to proclaim socialism. Most of us are not enough politicized to criticized them as a political line. Still we couldn’t convince people by ignoring their feeling when their are legit, even if those feelings may leads to actions that seems against our common interests.

If we claim equality, we shall listen before speaking.

JJROKCZ,

More like there isn’t a large enough solid left group to convince everyone to vote for. If all leftist split they vote amongst the several parties vying for it then the right win with their unified authoritarian parties

Kondeeka,

Does anybody else have a feeling that just about any article reporting on left or climate protests, only seems to quote students (often art or philosophy) and pensioners? I believe the group is broader than that, why pick people who are regarded as not contributing much to society in populists’ views already?

glimse,

People between college and retirement have jobs and may not be able to take the day off so they’re underrepresented at weekday protests

jeena,
@jeena@piefed.jeena.net avatar

I remember those demonstrations against the far right in Germany just two month ago or something. Back then I was saying that if this is really an issue for people then they need to show it during the election by voting.

We're just now shortly after during the EU elections and who is the biggest winner in Germany? Yes you guessed it right, the AFD, the far right, being now the second biggest party.

Those protests don't seem to reach the people who then go to vote.

Mora, (edited )

Except they did reach the people. Back in December polls showed the AFD at 22%. Now they only got 16%. Is it great? Fuck no. But still better then 22%. Can’t give up now, that’s what the nazis want.

TheBigBrother,

How much it’s 3k compared to the total population of France?

bassomitron,

Gotta start somewhere. Tens of thousands of demonstrators don’t show up at a moment’s notice. Honestly surprised even 3000 showed up that quickly.

menas,

This kind of demonstration took place in a lot of city in france, if not all.

JJROKCZ,

Small, but this was 3000 the day after the Election Day, gathered on a weekday and on short notice i would consider 3000 a good turnout.

TropicalDingdong,

Lets see if they show up for the election. If so, this is evidence for the effectiveness of Macrons gambit.

Weirdmusic,
@Weirdmusic@lemmy.world avatar

Real power comes from the ballot box. No point in demonstrating if you don’t vote.

TropicalDingdong,

I mean I think this represents the core of Macrons strategy. Force the issue. Don’t wait. Get people emotionally worked up and do so quickly. Don’t wait for things to cool off.

Sanctus, (edited )
@Sanctus@lemmy.world avatar

Let’s hope it works. It fucken sucks watching the world turn right when we need to embrace real solutions and unity to overcome these new challenges. Not deny them and drink the juice.

TropicalDingdong,

It definitely fits the bill of the “bold move Cotton” meme template.

I personally side with WWII General Pattons quote on planning:

"“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.”

Too many political leaders think they have until next week to figure out how to deal with the rising tide of fascism globally. They don’t. If Macron thinks he’s got the nuts or at least a hand that plays, I say push the chips. Because next week you won’t have a stronger position.

menas,

Macron has been elected has an opposition to the far right. After increase exiled deportation and people killed by the police, he decide to dissolute the assembly and literally build a straight way to the first far right french government since WWII

So no, ballot boy is the smallest kind of power. It’s still is, but the was never a concrete left government without insurrection strike (popular front 1936) or armed unioniste (1946).

Burn_The_Right,

If he did nothing, he could be ousted and the conservatism would get even worse. We are at the edge of complete fascist domination in the EU and the US. Desperate times call for bold moves. He made the smart play, given that doing nothing will almost certainly result in a far right take-over.

Miaou,

The smart thing would have been not to give away the European elections to Bardella. He deserves no praise for gambling our country on 4d-chess political moves. He wants to be De Gaulle, but he’s looking more like a Hindenburg.

inlandempire,
@inlandempire@jlai.lu avatar

I would argue voting is one of the lowest forms of participation in the political life of one’s country, but that’s not a debate I’m ready to have at this hour

barsoap, (edited )

Yes it is the lowest form of participation and that’s also why there’s no excuse not to cast your ballot. Unless the ballot literally gets stuffed, turn up, if you can’t bring yourself to vote for any of the parties with reasonable chances vote for a satirical or random micro party. The animal protection one seems to be popular in Germany, heck they might get a seat and cause something to happen from the opposition benches, I rather have an opposition full of vegans than full of Nazis. That failing, invalidate your ballot. Nothing too untoward, ballot counters aren’t your enemy.

inlandempire,
@inlandempire@jlai.lu avatar

Agreed, half an hour out of one’s day on a Sunday isn’t much to at least get involved however small it is

Zehzin,
@Zehzin@lemmy.world avatar

Pretty sure the real quote is “from the barrel of a gun”

Hossenfeffer,
@Hossenfeffer@feddit.uk avatar

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWBjwgxEawo

Lost_My_Mind,

I thought he called the snap election yesterday? Was it not yesterday?

TropicalDingdong,

Yes, yesterday. There are a wide range of views as to this being a good idea or not.

Hacksaw,

A snap election isn’t instant lol. An election committee gets formed, a date is set a few months ahead, politicians register and campaign, polling stations are formed and staffed. It’s a lot of work. It’s like the US but faster and less predictable and therefore not 18 months nightmare of propaganda.

loutr,
@loutr@sh.itjust.works avatar

a few months ahead

Nah, election day is in 2 weeks… Political parties are scrambling to form alliances and put a program together… It’s a total shitshow.

Hacksaw,

Oh shit France runs things WAY faster than us Canadians. Probably for the best. The longer the campaign is, the more politicians can use bullshit populist fearmongering. Good luck to the French for defeating the fascists… That just won in France for the EU elections…

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