thousands of demonstrators march in Paris ten years after the death of the anti-fascist activist

A tribute was paid to Clément Méric killed ten years ago during a brawl with ultra-right skinheads. Several thousand people marched on Sunday, June 4, in Paris in memory of the young student and anti-fascist activist who died in 2013. To cries of “Clement, Clement, antifa”, the procession set off around noon from the Barbès metro station towards the Place de la République. Between 1,950 people, according to the police headquarters, and 5,000 people, according to the organizers, were present.

Under the flag, activists from Action antifasciste Paris Banlieue (AFAPB), dressed entirely in black and with their faces masked, and others from Toulouse, Caen or Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain or Greece. “We do not forget that fascism kills, that the far right is not insignificant and that their ideas like their words are a danger for our social body”said Aude, Clément Méric’s girlfriend at the time, in the middle of the crowd.

This tribute took place in a context of renewed activities of far-right movements. In recent years, ultra-right groups have made their mark through violent actions or planned attacks. Authorities report 1,500 activists across France. Although forbidden to manifest or dissolved, they remain active and difficult to control.