2 May France: France’s traditional International Workers’ Day marches were clouded by violence in Paris, where black-clad demonstrators intimidated lawmakers and Socialist Party (PS) supporters. More than 300,000 attended across the country, including 100,000 in Paris, the CGT union estimated. But the police put the turnout across the country at a lower 157,000.
In the capital city, confrontations broke out as militant far-left protesters—most of them dressed in black and brandishing anti-fascist banners—physically clashed with PS politicians, yelling slogans such as “Everyone hates the PS.” The skirmishes resulted in punches, flares being hurled, and four Socialist lawmakers with minor injuries. Police arrested 72 people, among them 52 in Paris alone.
Socialist MP Jérôme Guedj, who had been targeted by anti-Semitic insults at the beginning of the week, was led out of the rally for security reasons. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau denounced the attacks as “absolutely lamentable.”
Despite the violence, the head of the CGT, Sophie Binet, defended the wider campaign, pointing to 270 nationwide marches. The divisions in France’s labor movement were, however, apparent. While most unions marched against the far right and increasing global authoritarianism, the unity seemed tattered.
France Unbowed (LFI), the hard-left party, dissociated itself from the violence and insisted that political disagreement should never result in physical assault.
At the same time, increasing concern over the state of global politics, particularly Donald Trump’s return to the White Houseechoed in the rallies. “We’re raising the alarm on the Trumpification of the planet,” Solidarity union member Murielle Guilbert told Agence France-Presse, lamenting the threat of racism and authoritarian tendencies.
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