A-Infos (en) France, UCL AL #349 - Anti-fascism, RN Meeting: Marseille anti-fascism must strengthen (ca, de, fr, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

Bring together a united anti-fascist collective urgently in Marseille to 
derail the meeting of an RN in full demonization. It was the ambition. 
But with the rain which fell on the weekend of March 2 and 3, 2024, 
Marseillais anti-fascism came out well showered. Between the showers, a 
few rainbows... harbingers of spring? ---- We remember the "hunt for 
Zemmour" and its disastrous images for the fascist candidate. This time, 
the RN preferred to organize a meeting indoors and away from the antifa 
"strongholds". And even if the Le Pen/Zemmour "split" left its mark 
locally, several thousand people came together for the launch of 
Bardella's European campaign.

However, the antifa collectives had launched a united call to organize 
"a major initiative". The Marseille activist community responds, weekly 
meetings are organized, ideas flow, working groups are set up: a dynamic 
is launched. But we cannot rebuild an effective unitary framework in a 
few weeks. There are big absentees.

On the union side, VISA was involved, but expertise does not replace 
real involvement of union forces. Some sectoral unions, mainly from 
Solidaires (education, associations, students, etc.), are more or less 
frankly involved. The CNT puts a toe but no other confederation, or 
union, is involved. However, hands were sincerely outstretched.

On the political party side, the situation was similar. The prize goes 
to the Soc-Dems of the municipal majority who published a column full of 
idealism without mentioning the demonstration. These defections hampered 
organizational capacities and were particularly visible during the 
demonstration.

Get out of yourself
Demonstration distanced from the meeting and intended to be almost 
"family", leaflets and collages in working-class neighborhoods, 
excellent visuals without smoke, successful day with stands, round 
tables and canteens[1], concert (ultimately canceled), mini-events 
beforehand , banner workshops... Sometimes not without difficulty, 
resourcefulness and voluntarism compensate for the shortcomings and 
overall the organization and logistics follow. The demonstration comes, 
the uncertainty will have held until its departure, the catastrophic 
weather not helping. It will still bring together more than a thousand 
people in a very dynamic and supportive atmosphere. It will take us to 
certain working-class neighborhoods and then come and stand behind the 
demonstration in support of Palestine for the last third of the route.

But the more or less radical overcoming of the self has not occurred. 
The RN held its meeting. There is an acknowledgment of failure. 
Anti-fascist work on the ground continues to be reconstructed and 
strengthened. It is done at the grassroots, in the streets and in clubs. 
The main challenge will be to consolidate what has been built throughout 
this month and to maintain and expand the unitary framework in Marseille.

UCL will have wet the shirt during preparation. We shared our activist 
experience while avoiding playing lessons. We may regret a weak 
intervention during the round tables. Our procession during the 
demonstration was noticed. Thank you to the comrades and sympathizers, 
some of whom came from far away, who brought the anti-fascism of our 
movement to life in the streets!

UCL Marseille

To validate
[1]A recording can be found on Primitivi.org: "Extinguish the flame".

https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Meeting-du-RN-L-antifascisme-marseillais-doit-se-renforcer
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