Ten years ago, at the exit of a private sale of clothes, Clément Méric found death under the blows of ultra-right skinheads. It is this tragic disappearance that several thousand people came to commemorate by marching in Paris on Sunday.
This mobilization was the culmination of a series of mobilizations organized this weekend by anti-fascist organizations and those close to the young man, in a context of renewed activities by ultra-right movements.
From all over Europe
To cries of “Clément, Clément, antifa” or “Siamo tutti antifascisti”, the procession – 5,000 people according to the organizers – set off around noon from the Barbès metro station towards the Place de la République, behind a banner covered with words of Louis Aragon “death does not dazzle the eyes of partisans”.
Under the flag, activists from Action antifasciste Paris Banlieue (AFAPB), dressed entirely in black and with their faces masked, and others from Toulouse, Caen or Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain or Greece.
“We do not forget that fascism kills, that the far right is not insignificant and that their ideas like their words are a danger for our social body”, declared in the middle of the crowd Aude, the girlfriend of Clement’s time.
“Commonalisation”
“The ultra-right is the visible part of a trivialization of the far right (…) which results in street attacks on demonstrators and even mayors”, judged Mathieu, a 43-year-old railway worker, member of the Sud union. -Rail, who preferred not to mention his surname.
Last month, the resignation of the mayor of Saint-Brevin (Loire-Atlantique) Yannick Morez created an electric shock in the country. The elected official was questioned by a group of residents hostile to the transfer of a reception center for asylum seekers, joined by far-right groups, then threatened.
“The fascist thugs are coming out again from everywhere to practice their ratonnades”, added on condition of anonymity Mireille, 57, a regular at antifa demonstrations. What is important is to make a show of force. We want to occupy the street, meet with all the comrades who have come from abroad and allow the visibility of our fights, ”commented Nargesse Bibimoune, a member of the Action antifasciste Paris-banlieue group.