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Politics

Calls for nationwide day of demonstrations in France against 'far-right ideology'

James Harrington
James Harrington - [email protected] • 11 Jun, 2021 Updated Fri 11 Jun 2021 16:01 CEST
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Renault workers, with CGT union flags, take part in a demonstration in front of the Renault plant in Le Mans, on May 6, 2021, in Le Mans, northwestern France. - About 250 people gathered to denounce the "dismantling of the automotive industry in France" and support the employees of the Fonderie de Bretagne put up for sale by the automotive group. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP)

Unions and political parties in France have united in a call for a day of demos "for freedom and against far-right ideology" on Saturday.

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Some 60 organisations - from the CGT and FSU unions and left-wing political party La France Insoumise to rights organisations including SOS Racisme, Ligue des droits de l'Homme and Oxfam - have called for demonstrations to take place in towns and cities across France on Saturday, June 12th.

Their joint statement read: "For several months we have been witness to an alarming political and social climate. Allying with the extreme right or adopting its ideas is no longer forbidden. 

"Racist and sexist comments and acts at work and in life are spreading.

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"Attacks on social rights and freedoms are increasing. In this political, economic, social and health context, injustices are exploding and causing great social misery.

"Several liberticidal laws are organising an authoritarian society of surveillance and control which will make the already excessive police violence invisible. Moreover, if some of these laws stigmatise a part of the population because of their religion, others target them because of their militant activity.

"In the face of this climate of hatred, racism and attacks on individual and collective freedoms, we have decided collectively to organise a first major national day of demonstrations and mobilisations on Saturday, June 12th."

"Like the signatories of the appeal for freedoms and against the mortifying ideas of the extreme right (www.appelpourleslibertes.com), we all feel the urgency of building a strong and united response that brings together the alliance of freedom, work and a sustainable future."

Individual supporters can add their name to a list of signatories backing the day of demonstrations and its intentions at www.appelpourleslibertes.com

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Comments

James Harrington 2021/06/11 16:01

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juncit 2021/06/11 18:10
I don't know where this idea of 'absolute power' comes from. UK and France have a democratic system that prevents either party having 'absolute power', apart that is, from the power to govern which they were elected to do anyway. Corruption and dishonesty is endemic to politics and power, both left and right, but they have to answer to the voting population every few years. I object being told what to think by the unions and being co-opted into being cannon fodder and/or taken hostage in their never ending battles with employers. It seems to me the unions regularly hold the population to ransom - they need a good hand-bagging. I don't share their ideology and I resent been inconvenienced by their pursuit of their own agendas.
steverounce 2021/05/22 22:08
Not a bad thing in my opinion, however, I have to ask if that is the real danger. For example, the UK currently has the most opaque government in living memory. I’m more afraid of the government/establishment closing ranks every time a legitimate challenge to their absolute power is posed.

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