First rally for far-right French candidate Zemmour prompts protests, violence

The first rally for French far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour was met with large protests and reports of violence on Sunday, the Associated Press reported. 

The AP reported that activists dressed in black clothing emblazoned with the message “No to racism” were attacked by people at the rally and thrown out of the room. 

Zemmour’s supporters were seen singing France’s national anthem and shouting “Zemmour, president!” and “We will win!” while flying the French flag, according to the AP. 

The confrontations also continued outside the room as an activists scuffled with security guards. 

French media members were also jeered and insulted by Zemmour’s supporters during the rally, which led to them being temporarily escorted out of the room by security, the AP reported. 

“They are making up polemics about books I wrote 15 years ago, they snoop into my private life, call me all sort of names,” Zemmour said. “My adversaries want my political death, journalists want my social death and jihadists want my death.”

Zemmour’s campaign rally was initially supposed to be held at a Paris concert hall, was moved to a bigger venue with French police fearing clashes between his supporters and dozens of groups protesting against him. 

The former television pundit has drawn comparison to former President Trump due to his rabble-rousing populism and ambitions of moving away from the small screen to hold high office. 

Zemmour’s rally came a day after France’s main conservative party picked Valérie Pécresse to be its presidential candidate. 

France’s presidential election will be held on April 10, as a runoff election if needed will be held on April 24.