Shouts of "Clement, Clement, antifa" or "Siamo tutti antifascisti", the procession started around noon from the Barbès metro station to the Place de la République. Thousands of people marched this Sunday in Paris to pay tribute to the young student and anti-fascist activist Clément Méric, killed 10 years ago under the blows of ultra-right skinheads. They were 5000,<>, according to the organizers, to march behind a banner covered with the words of Louis Aragon "death does not dazzle the eyes of the partisans".
"Siamo tutti antifascisti!" 10 After the assassination of Clément Méric by Nazis we pay tribute to his memory.
We will never forget!
We will never allow the far right and its allies to sow their racist hatred in the service of capitalism. pic.twitter.com/ieCURZQCcY
— Thomas Portes (@Portes_Thomas) June 4, 2023
This demonstration is the culmination of a series of mobilizations organized this weekend by antifascist groups and relatives of the young man, in a context of renewed activity of ultra-right movements.
Under the flags, militants of Action antifasciste Paris Banlieue, dressed entirely in black and with their faces masked, and others from Toulouse, Caen or Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain or Greece.
Paris, 4 June 2023. Alain JOCARD/AFP AFP or licensors
"The far right is not trivial"
"We do not forget that fascism kills, that the far right is not trivial and that their ideas as well as their words are a danger to our social body," said Aude, Clement's girlfriend at the time.
"The ultra-right is the visible part of a trivialization of the far right (...) which results in street attacks on demonstrators and even mayors," said Mathieu, a 43-year-old railway worker and member of the Sud-Rail union, who preferred to keep his surname quiet.
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"The fascist thugs are once again coming out of everywhere to practice their ratonnades," added Mireille, 57, a regular at antifa demonstrations, on condition of anonymity.
"What is important is to make a show of force. We want to occupy the streets, meet with all the comrades from abroad and allow the visibility of our struggles, says Nargesse Bibimoune, a member of the group Action antifasciste Paris-banlieue. The idea is to align with other struggles, for Palestine, against police violence. »
Ten years after his death, the memory of Clément Méric remains omnipresent in the mobilizations of the radical left. In recent years, ultra-right groups - 1,500 activists throughout the France according to the authorities - have signaled themselves with violent actions or planned attacks. Although banned or dissolved, they remain active and difficult to control.