Thousands Rally in Paris Against Racism To Defend Mayor

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Saint-Denis, the largest suburb of Paris, on Saturday in protest against racism following attacks on the town’s newly elected mayor, Bally Bagayoko.

Bagayoko, 52, of the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party, was elected in the first round of municipal elections on March 15, but soon became the target of racist remarks and disinformation circulated on social media and television platforms.

Born in France to Malian parents, he was reportedly subjected to a wave of online abuse and derogatory commentary shortly after his election victory.

Addressing supporters at the town hall steps, Bagayoko said the gathering reflected a strong commitment to republican values and inclusivity in a diverse community shaped by immigration.

“We come to state firmly and definitively our visceral attachment to the values of the Republic embodied by those who are heirs of immigration,” said Bagayoko.

He also criticised what he described as weak institutional responses to rising racist narratives.

Prominent LFI figure Jean-Luc Mélenchon also attended the rally, condemning what he called a “a sickening wave of racism coming from the political and media elites who, without reservation, without restraint, have displayed their contempt for a part of our people.”

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had earlier condemned what he described as the “normalisation of evil and racism” following the controversy.

Bagayoko has also filed a legal complaint against the CNews television channel over remarks made during a broadcast, prompting prosecutors to open an investigation into possible racist public insults.

Authorities are also investigating online abuse directed at the mayor following the televised comments.