Tens of thousands protest racism, support Gazans in Europe

Tens of thousands of protesters have staged rallies in French cities against racism and the rise of the far right, with some targeting US President Donald Trump and his henchmen, while some pro-Palestinians showed solidarity with the Gazans.

The protests were staged in Paris, Marseille, Toulouse and other cities and took place against the backdrop of the UN-designated International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Rallied by France Unbowed (LFI) party and hundreds of labor unions, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris, slamming racist ideology promoting bigotry and discrimination.

"Fascism is gangrene from Washington to Paris," read one placard.

"The far right is on the rise everywhere in Europe, it's scary because in France we see far-right ideas becoming more and more commonplace, even among ministers in this government," Evelyne Dourille, a 74-year-old pensioner, told AFP.

An American protester taking part in the rally in the French capital said similar demonstrations should be taking place in the United States.

"America is sliding towards fascism," said the 55-year-old woman.

Aurelie Trouve, a lawmaker for the LFI party, sounded the alarm about the increasing popularity of the far-right party of Marine Le Pen in France.

"Far-right ideas are contaminating even the government," she said. 

In the southern port city of Marseilles, thousands of people took to the streets, while several thousand others protested in Lille in the north, according to police.

"Against state Islamophobia," said some of the placards.

"The situation is serious," the Human Rights League (LDH) said, pointing to an "alarming increase" in racist acts.

"There is a global reactionary offensive against foreigners and their children, against Muslims," added Dominique Sopo, head of of SOS Racisme, also pointing to increasing racist and anti-Semitic acts.

Similar protests took place in the cities of Lyon and Toulouse.

In the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, more than 10,000 people gathered in Dam Square.

The rally, organized by Comite 21 Maart, an anti-racism association, came one day after the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Trump’s ‘racist’ policies in spotlight on zero discrimination day

The International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is marked in the US amid a wave of oppressive policies and arrests by the Trump administration against pro-Palestinian protesters.

Protesters held signs reading “Never Again” as they warned against the rise of the far-right across Europe, drawing memory to the early 20th century when fascism rose to prominence. 

Protesters also waved flags in support of Palestine, after Israel’s recent resumption of war on Gaza which has claimed the lives of close to 50,000 people in the territory. 

“We see that there is a greater growth of radical far right, that racist expressions are on the rise. And if you look at the United States, of course a lot of bad things are happening there,” said a woman participating in the protest.

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