Arrests in actions against French presidential candidate Zemmour | Abroad

According to police, about 2,200 people gathered in Paris to voice their dismay at the former journalist, writer and media personality’s candidacy for the French presidency. On Tuesday, Zemmour, who has been convicted twice for inciting racial hatred, announced his intention to “save France” and said many voters no longer recognize their own country.

The demonstration in Paris was organized by about fifty trade unions, parties and associations. According to them, about 10,000 people were present. “Zemmour has fled Paris,” a spokesman for the Solidaires union cheered. “It is important to show that we do not allow the advancing fascism.” Ultimately, two people were arrested.

Other activists gathered in Villepinte where Zemmour finally gave his speech. 46 protesters were arrested for violating a restraining order in force there.

New party

During a speech lasting almost one and a half hours, Zemmour announced the name of his party: Reconquête (reconquest). “If I win this election, it will not be another change of power, but a recapture of the greatest country in the world,” Trump said, as he is sometimes described. He pledged to reduce immigration and cut taxes to the cheers of the approximately 10,000 supporters present. Its slogan reads: “Impossible n’est pas français” (loosely translated: the word impossible is not French), an expression attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte.

During the speech, fighting broke out in the hall and chairs were thrown at activists who stood up wearing T-shirts that read ‘No to racism’. At least two of them were thrown out of space, bleeding. “We wanted to do a non-violent protest,” said a spokesman for the SOS racism who was responsible for the action. “People jumped on them and started beating them.”

The 63-year-old goes further with his statements about Islam and migration than Marine Le Pen, who leads the right-wing Rassemblement National. He has noted that Muslims are “colonizing” his country and suggested banning foreign first names such as Mohammed and Kevin. Le Pen accuses him of needlessly causing division.

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