SEVERAL European states have witnessed mass protests over the past few days, mostly focusing on socioeconomic grievances. But the largest — and most violent — demonstrations took place in France. Over the weekend, nearly half a million people took to the streets in cities across France, with the protests descending into mob violence, looting, and arson. Thousands have been arrested. French students had been protesting for weeks, demanding improvement in the public education system. But the recent protests highlighted other issues, such as the cost of living and inequality. While the French state has blamed the ‘far left’ for the violence, and even France’s far right has been careful about whom it blames, many outside the country have picked familiar targets: immigrants and people of colour. This is despite the fact that along with French citizens of black and Arab origin, many working-class white French people were also part of the protests. But facts matter little when the far right has a narrative to build. Weighing in with his pearls of wisdom, US President Donald Trump blamed “immigration” and “people with hatred in their hearts” for the violence. It is quite remarkable that the American leader did not blame Muslims and immigrants for the French Revolution and the Great Terror.
While violence is condemnable, scapegoating religious and ethnic minorities will not make societal problems go away. When the economy is going through tough times, immigrants and citizens with roots in other cultures and countries are the easiest to blame. European and Western governments need to address the core issues fuelling the unrest — poverty and inequality — and counter far-right talking points with facts. As economies worldwide contract, and societal pressures boil over, far-right agent provocateurs will seek further divisions based on race and religion. Progressive forces globally must counter these hateful aims through solidarity, and continue to call for justice and equality for all.
Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026
