Unions and political groups are calling for another round of protests and marches against the threat of the far-right in France this coming weekend.
Last weekend saw more than a quarter of a million people turn out to protest against the Rassemblement National (RN) party, urging people to vote for candidates in opposition to the far-right party.
The RN are currently leading in the polls for the upcoming snap legislative elections, set to take place on June 30 and July 7.
Not everyone supported the protests against the RN, however, with some voters believing the marches to be ‘ridiculous’ and ‘undemocratic’.
Read more: Protests by 250,000 against French far-right criticised by RN voters
Unions, including the CGT (confédération générale du travail), have backed a second round of demonstrations, expected to be the last before the elections take place in less than two weeks.
A "popular tidal wave" of support against the RN is needed to "prevent an organised disaster," said General Secretary of the union Sophie Binet.
Other unions including the FSU (Fédération syndicale unitaire) and political leaders have backed the marches.
National Secretary of the EELV (Europe Écologie Les Verts) said at this weekend’s protests “things are very simple.. it's either the fascists [RN] or us. If you are here, it is because you have chosen your side. But now we need to reach out to all the others.”
Events will take place on both Saturday and Sunday (June 22 and 23) across France, with the routes and times of a number of rallies already being announced.
You can find a list of the currently announced marches and rallies below. If you do not see your town or area, search for the information online, as more information is announced in the coming days.
Paris: Sunday June 23, 15:00, Opéra Metro Station (a route between the station and the Stalingrad area of the city will be followed).
Marseille: Saturday, June 22, 11:00, Vieux-Port
Lyon: Saturday, June 22, 14:00, place Bellecour
Bordeaux: Sunday June 23, 16:00, place Jean Moulin
Rennes: Saturday, June 22, 17:30, Parlement de Bretagne
Nantes: Saturday June 22, 16:00. The unions have not yet announced the location of the protest
Toulouse: Saturday June 22, 10:00. The unions have not yet announced the location of the protest
Montpellier: Saturday June 22, 15:00, Parc du Peyrou
Strasbourg: Sunday, June 23, 16:00. The unions have not yet announced the location of the protest
Angers: Sunday, June 23, 15:00. The unions have not yet announced the location of the protest
Clermont-Ferrand: Saturday June 22, 15:00, place Delille
Tours: Saturday June 22, 15:00, place Jean Jaurès
Caen: Sunday, June 23, 15:00, place St Pierre
Le Havre: Sunday, June 23, 11:00. The unions have not yet announced the location of the protest
Nîmes: Saturday, June 22, 11:00, Maison Carrée
Albi: Saturday, June 22, 11:00. The unions have not yet announced the location of the protest
Auch: Saturday June 22, 10:30. The protest has not been officially confirmed by the inter-union group.
Tarbes: Saturday June 22, 10:00. The protest has not been officially confirmed by the inter-union group.
Le Mans: Saturday, June 22, 15:00, place de la République.
Saint-Nazaire: Saturday, June 22, 17:00. The unions have not yet announced the location of the protest
Avignon: Sunday June 23, 15:00, place du Palais des papes
Aubagne: Saturday, June 22, 11:00, cour Foch
Note that some of these have not been officially announced by the inter-union group, but by singular unions or local activists. You can find further information here.
