Neither the downpour at the beginning of the afternoon nor the attempt by the prefecture got the better of their determination. This Sunday, April 21, a few thousand people marched in Paris, departing from Barbès, on the occasion of the “March against racism, Islamophobia and for the protection of all children”. A demonstration banned for a time due to the risk of disturbing public order and finally authorized by the administrative court.
A few minutes before the procession sets off, escorted by a large cordon of CRS, the organizers chant slogans that we are beginning to know, standing on their van. “ Free Palestine “, ” We are all children of Gaza “, ” Refusal to comply is not a license to kill ”, we can hear in front of the mobilization, while a little further away, defenders of undocumented immigrants dance to the rhythm of African drums.
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In the middle of the crowd, two fifty-year-olds are chatting. “ There are beautiful people there, it’s nice. I even saw yellow vests », congratulates one of them, his voice covered by the ambient hubbub. Yellow vests? For our part, behind the Palestinian flags – as well as one or two in LGBT colors – and the signs sometimes denouncing Israel and sometimes the “ police violence “, we especially saw Rebellious FranceEurope Ecology-The Greens, the New Anti-Capitalist Party (NPA), Permanent Revolution, the Indigenous Party of the Republic, Solidarity, Emergency Palestine and the Anti-Fascist Young Guard…
“It’s all the same fight”
Many are not directly concerned by the demands of the day, but still came as a “ solidarity “. Like Lili*, who walks around with a half-feminist, half-anti-racist poster (“ Shut up, we shout for those who can't “) by hand. “ I was outraged that it was canceled. But fortunately, we are here », slips the young community activist with a face adorned with a septum piercing. Next door, we are already discussing the support concert planned for 5:30 p.m., Place de la République. “ There will be committed rappers like MedinaKery James, Sniper… That’s also why I’m here », recognizes a demonstrator who struggles to hide her impatience.
Passersby between laughter and anger in front of the poster diverted from the CNews columnist.
Lucas Planavrgne – “Marianne”
A few meters away, Benaid appears less enthusiastic. “ What's happening in Gaza, what's happening with the police… It's all the same fight. We only ask for one thing, justicebe done », Explains the 58-year-old man, keffiyeh around his neck. Just behind him, demonstrators cover a hijacked advertisement with the image of the polemicist Jean Messiha with stickers. “ He created the jackpot of the cop who killed Nahel », recalls a young man, still outraged by the millions of euros collected.
In the same vein, another scene attracts our attention: while an annoyed cyclist tries to cross the procession with her dog in the basket, two hooded activists arrive, big Doc Martens on their feet, in front of a newspaper kiosk which is obviously closed. “ Down with the State, the cops and the fascists », they frantically tag with black marker on a space reserved for the promotion… of Diplomatic world, radical left monthly. The art of scoring against your side.
“Soon, I’ll be there too”
Not convinced by “ the usefulness » demonstrations, Rayan* did not plan to come “ at the base “. What motivated him? The attempt to “ censorship » from the authorities. “ This week, there was the banning of Mélenchon's conference in Lille, the questioning of Rima Hassan(European candidate on the LFI list)by the police… So I tell myself that, soon, we will only have opportunities like this to express ourselves », observes the one who asks us to “ insist » about his job as an engineer for “ show that it is possible for a Maghreb “.
Hassan*'s observation is even more bitter. “ There is too much racism in France. If they manage to kill everyone they target, given my origins, soon, I will be there too », fears the young man of 19 years, between irony and real fear – although we do not really understand who is hiding behind this “ they “.
READ ALSO : “Transmania”, Mélenchon’s lectures on Palestine: do you want to be republicans? Let them express themselves!
Same story with Victor, a young intermittent worker in the entertainment industry. “ We only hear one and the same Islamophobic discourse in the media. And the government is doing everything to muzzle dissenting voices », Estimates the twenty-year-old with long, dyed red hair. And his friend Antoine takes action, with less chastened language: “ There is a real authoritarian drift, the State is using all legal means to screw us over. We are here to show that we intend to do the same! »
*First names have been changed.
