Never Again: French and EU Citizens Celebrate Far Right defeat in front of Eiffel Tower

Marine Le Pen’s loss marks Europe’s third defeat for the Far Right after Austria and Netherlands

In response to Marine Le Pen’s defeat, French and EU citizens, Holocaust survivors, WWII resistance veterans and children flooded Place Trocadero in celebration. The victory of Emmanuel Macron constitutes the third major loss for the European far-right after the presidential election in Austria and the parliamentary election in the Netherlands.

Standing arm in arm, participants sang songs, waved flags, and held a large banner reading, ‘France tells hate: Never again’ -- marking the anniversary of the end of World War II, which coincided with the election.   

Elie Busyn, 88 years old, a French survivor of the horrors of the Holocaust, said: “I was very concerned by the propaganda of the extreme right-wing party, the National Front. It's extremely dangerous because it makes false promises to attract the poorest and the most deprived, exactly how Hitler came to power after so-called democratic elections.”

Julie Deruy, campaigner for Avaaz, organizer of the event said: “Le Pen’s loss is not just a win for France but for all of Europe. The trend is clear, from Austria to the Netherlands and now France, the Far Right has failed to secure power in Europe.” She continued, “Last night, French citizens resoundingly made clear that an extreme nationalist program that threatens to divide our nation and the continent is not how we will solve our country’s problems or build its future.”  

René Barbot, 95 years old, a member of the Résistance during WWII said: “Love your country as a patriot but not as a nationalist, love your religion as you practice it, but not as a fanatic, and be generous to others and listen to them, try to understand before you judge. It is very important to understand one's neighbour and to love as much as possible."

Avaaz members have been campaigning against the far-right in France, the Netherlands and Austria during the elections, reaching out to fellow citizens to ensure they vote for unity, not division, and for hope, not hate. In France, Avaaz released a viral video that reached 2.4 million views in days calling on French voters not to be ‘Trumped’, and put up thousands of guerrilla posters in key abstention neighbourhoods with the same meme. Hundreds of Avaaz members also called those who said they were planning to abstain to persuade them to vote, and took to the streets to show the close connection between Marine Le Pen and her father.

Video of the action - - can be seen HERE - all rights given for editorial use, script below

Pictures of the action can be seen HERE - all rights given for editorial use

Yesterday evening, Avaaz’ staff celebrated the defeat of the far right at Le Louvre with giant signs “LOVE BEATS HATE”. Pictures of the action can be seen HERE, video can be seen HERE

Ends

Contact: For interviews and other requests:

Julie Deruy +336 76 47 72 59 julie@avaaz.org (In Paris)

Daniel Boese +491778405700 daniel.boese@avaaz.org

Shotlist of B-Roll --

 

• René Barbot, 95 years old, a member of the Résistance during WWII : “Love your country as a patriot but not as a nationalist, love your religion as you practice it, but not as a fanatic, and be generous to others and listen to them, try to understand before you judge. It is very important to understand one's neighbour and to love as much as possible."

• Elie Busyn, 88 years old, a French survivor of the horrors of the holocaust : “I was very concerned by the propaganda of the extreme right-wing party, the National Front. It's extremely dangerous because it makes false promises to attract the poorest and the most deprived, exactly how Hitler came to power after so-called democratic elections.”

• Elie and René speaking together

• Elie Busyn, 88 years old, a French survivor of the horrors of the holocaust : “As a survivor of the holocaust, I want to tell young people to reject every feeling of exclusion, either for racism or economics”

• Baya, Avaaz member : “Let’s hold hands, for a stronger France, without making judgments or differences between people. These are my deepest feeling right now.”

• Julie Deruy, campaigner at Avaaz :

• “Today, French citizens gathered and said to hate : Never again. We gathered because French people said no to the National Front, no to the far right. It’s an important message for France and for Europe.”

• “They said we would have a ‘Patriot Spring’, but Austria said no, Holland said no, and yesterday the people of France said no also.

• “French people said no to the National Front and today we say no to to hate! Never again.”

• “We are here on May 8th, it’s a sad anniversary for European people and it was important for us to remember our history, and remind each other how important it is to fight for our democracy.”