Thousands rally in Paris suburb to support Black mayor targeted by racist abuse

SAINT-DENIS, France — Several thousand people rallied in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis on Saturday to denounce racism following a wave of abuse targeting the city's newly elected Black mayor, Bally Bagayoko. The demonstration came after weeks of what multiple reports describe as racist disinformation, insulting comments on social media, and abusive phone calls directed at the town hall.

Attendees gathered on the steps of the town hall, many carrying signs reading "Don't touch my mate," the slogan of the anti-racist group SOS Racisme, according to an account in The New York Times. The crowd included music bands, trade unions, and associations, with several reports estimating attendance in the low thousands.

Background

Bagayoko, 52, a member of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, was elected mayor of Saint-Denis in the first round of municipal elections on March 15. He was born in France to Malian parents and raised in the neighborhood. Almost immediately after his election, he became the target of what multiple outlets describe as racist abuse, some of which was aired on one of the country's most-watched news channels.

The town hall's switchboard has been deluged with calls described by officials as openly racist, according to reports from multiple outlets. Kelly Kidou, head of the town hall's reception service, told a news agency, "We've reached a new level in the openly racist remarks made by callers who take advantage of the anonymity of calls to let loose." In one call, a person asked if a headscarf was now required to attend local schools; in another, the caller asked if this was "the town of Blacks and Arabs." In a third incident, a caller played a song by the Malian duo Amadou and Mariam before remaining silent. These details were reported by a single outlet and have not been independently confirmed.

Key claims

  • Bally Bagayoko was elected mayor of Saint-Denis on March 15, according to multiple reports.
  • He was targeted by racist disinformation and comments after his election, as reported by multiple sources.
  • A rally was held in Saint-Denis to denounce racism following the abuse.
  • Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, attended the rally.
  • Aurore Bergé, the government's minister against discrimination, did not attend.
  • Bagayoko has filed a legal complaint against CNews, according to reports.
  • An investigation has been opened into racist abuse on the X platform, according to multiple reports.

Reactions from public figures

At the rally, Bagayoko told the crowd, "We come to state firmly and definitively our visceral attachment to the values of the Republic embodied by those who are heirs of immigration," before criticizing what he called "failing, sometimes even complicit institutions."

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, attended the event and denounced what he called "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 denounced the "normalisation of evil and racism" in the wake of the campaign against Bagayoko, according to multiple reports.

Fabien Roussel, leader of France's Communist Party, was quoted by one outlet as saying there is "deep-seated discrimination against people of the Muslim faith, Arabs and Black people" in France.

Aurore Bergé, the government's minister against discrimination, did not attend the rally. "If there is one minister who should have been there, it is her," Bagayoko said, while acknowledging she had reached out by telephone to express solidarity.

Background on race and politics in France

The incident has cast a spotlight on race and representation in French politics. France, a former colonial power, has long aspired to be color-blind, and racial discrimination is officially taboo. Yet people of immigrant origin, especially those who are not White, have long been underrepresented in local politics. This year, around 10 people of African descent were elected or re-elected mayor across France, a first for many municipalities. The rally in Saint-Denis was seen by many as a show of support for these newly elected officials.

Legal and ongoing inquiries

Bagayoko has filed a legal complaint against CNews, one of France's most-watched news channels, reported by multiple sources. Additionally, an investigation has been opened into racist abuse on the X platform, according to multiple reports. The details of these legal actions are still emerging, and Bagayoko has not commented publicly on the status of the cases.