More than a million people demonstrated peacefully throughout France on Wednesday against extreme-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, by far the largest turnout yet against the ultra-nationalist politician since he qualified for Sunday's presidential runoff.
According to the Interior Ministry, about 900,000 were protesting against the far-right in several hundred cities across France.
Demonstrators were chanting "F like Fascist, N like Nazi" (the initials of this extreme-right party are FN) or using some more festive expressions which are very hard to translate in english.
Now, in Paris, the protest is not over finished [Note: I was typing this yesterday and I had numerous problems upstreaming to Radio Userland.]. The last protesters are still Place de la République as I'm typing this (believe me, this was a huge event). According to the police, there were about 400,000 to 500,000 people in Paris (and 900,000 according to the organizers).
By contrast, his morning, the extreme-right walk only gathered 8,000 persons.
With over a million and a half people in the streets marching against racism, xenophopia and anti-semitism, I feel better than last Sunday. But we'll have to wait until May 5 dor the results of the french presidential elections.
My message to all french people: vote Chirac next Sunday, especially if you usually vote for the left!!
Sources: Le Monde; Libération; Jamey Keaten, Associated Press; Reuters.
7:06:35 PM Permalink
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