French cities take stand: Far‑right events face new bans
17 July 2024 14:21
French cities have recently been experiencing a wave of disturbing events organised by the far right. During these gatherings, there have been violations of human rights and incitement to hatred. In recent weeks, more and more city authorities have been taking action to stop the organisers.
French media are reporting on this alarming social phenomenon. In many cities, there have been xenophobic demonstrations. The ultra-right group Hélix Dijon is behind the cycle of events in France.
Invitations to events posted on social networks depict a young blond man holding a surfboard with the German inscription "Ausländer raus" (foreigners out) and the French slogan "l’été des garçons blancs" (summer of the white boys). Organisations fighting for human rights are responding to this disturbing phenomenon.
France sets boundaries. Ultra-right events banned
Now, French municipalities want to fight back against this horrific xenophobia. On Tuesday, the city hall in Dijon announced that it will ban the planned "Ausländer raus" event on Saturday. Mayor François Rebsamen issued an order banning such a concert, although the event's location is unknown.
As reported by BMFTV, the Human Rights League announced on Monday its intention to file a complaint against the organisers "for incitement to racial hatred". "Racism and incitement to hatred are not more or less folkloric opinions; they are crimes. They regularly lead to violent attacks and acts of daily discrimination," representatives of the organisation wrote on social media.
The Solidaires 21 Association from the Côte-d'Or prefecture is also protesting. The trade union is calling for a ban by all local authorities.
A similar event was cancelled in Rouen last month. The themed "Ausländer raus" event was supposed to be held in a city bar but eventually did not take place.
The participants are generally very young people. The German slogan has become a viral message on the internet after scandalous performances by techno bands during a music festival in Albi in the Tarn department.
