The torchlight march in homage to Sainte-Geneviève, organized by the far-right group Paris Fierté, was held last night in Paris, despite the recurring controversies surrounding the event. The procession, now in its 21ᵉ edition, brought together several hundred participants in the Latin Quarter, under heavy police surveillance.

A controversial event

Paris Fierté, an association founded in 2005 and considered an offshoot of Génération Identitaire (dissolved in 2021 for inciting hatred and violence), organizes this march every year in honor of Sainte-Geneviève, patron saint of Paris. Officially presented as a cultural and religious tribute, the event is often perceived as a show of force by the identitarian far right. Slogans chanted at previous events, such as “Paris populaire, Paris identitaire” (People's Paris, identitarian Paris) and anti-immigration and Islamophobic slogans, have reinforced this perception.

Routine and supervision

The procession set off from the Pont de la Tournelle to the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont. Participants, often dressed in black and carrying torches, marched along chanting identity-related slogans. Although the authorities have banned this event on several occasions in the past, citing security concerns and the risk of public disorder, this edition was authorized after an appeal to the administrative court. The court ruled that the reasons put forward by the prefecture did not justify a total ban.

The demonstration was discreetly supervised by the forces of law and order to avoid any excesses. In addition, an anti-fascist counter-gathering had been organized nearby to denounce the xenophobic and racist nature attributed to the event. The two groups were kept well apart to avoid direct confrontation.

A tense context

The organization of this march took place in a tense political and social climate in France, marked by debates on immigration and rising tensions around identity movements. Paris Fierté continues to assert its “apolitical” character, presenting itself as a cultural association dedicated to promoting Parisian heritage. However, its proven links with Génération Identitaire and the slogans regularly heard at its events betray a clear political orientation.

Reactions and criticism

Opponents of the march denounce what they see as the instrumentalization of a religious tribute for political ends. Anti-fascist associations and local councillors have called for increased vigilance against this type of event, which they believe helps to normalize hate speech in the public arena.

In conclusion, although the torchlight march for Sainte-Geneviève is presented as a cultural and religious event by its organizers, it remains deeply controversial due to its ideological roots in the far-right identitarian movement. This year's event was no exception to the rule, reviving debates on the freedom to demonstrate and the limits imposed on extremist discourse in the public arena.