Thousands of people marched in Paris on Sunday, April 21 against racism and Islamophobia, focusing especially on police violence. The demonstration, which had initially been banned by the police prefect but later authorized by the courts, brought together around 3,000 individuals, according to a police source. The march, organized by fifty organizations including La France insoumise, the Nouveau Parti anticapitaliste, Attac, and Solidaires, began in the afternoon from Barbès under the banner “Our children are in danger.” Co-organizer Yessa Belkhodja emphasized the importance of addressing police violence as a serious issue affecting children in disadvantaged neighborhoods, particularly those who are poor, Black, or Arab.
The march was intended to conclude at Place de la République with a concert at 6 p.m., featuring rapper Médine. Signs at the demonstration read “Our children are not the target of cops” and quoted Frantz Fanon, declaring that “racism is a wound of humanity.” Psychiatrist Fatma Bouvet de la Maisonneuve noted that there is a growing awareness among people that France retains a colonial collective imagination and that individuals from former colonies are often viewed as inferior. Participants expressed frustration with the justice system, racial profiling, and discrimination they face when leaving their neighborhoods.
Many demonstrators wore keffiyehs in solidarity with Gaza, as the march took place more than six months after the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. The presence of Palestinian flags underscored the importance of valuing all human lives equally. Mathilde Panot, the leader of the “insoumis” deputies, emphasized the need to recognize the equal dignity of all human beings. The event also featured Eric Coquerel and Danièle Obono, members of the same political group, calling for a rejection of dehumanization and a commitment to unity and respect for all individuals.
The march had originally been prohibited by the police prefecture due to concerns that the explicit condemnation of police crimes in the event’s call-to-action could provoke clashes with law enforcement, risking public disorder. However, the decision was overturned by the Paris administrative court on Friday, ruling that the ban constituted a severe and clearly illegal infringement on the right to protest. The participants viewed the demonstration as an opportunity to denounce injustice, promote solidarity with marginalized communities, and challenge systemic discrimination. The event underscored the ongoing struggle for equality, justice, and respect for all individuals, regardless of race or background.
