France stops planned far-right march in Paris

The Administrative Court of Paris on May 8 rejected an appeal by organisers of the far-right group May 9 Committee and upheld a ban imposed by the Paris Police Prefecture on a planned march in the French capital.

As a result of the ruling, the planned far-right demonstration will not take place. The court found the authorities’ decision lawful, dismissing a complaint filed by C9M organiser Joséphine de La Chapelle. The ban had been justified on the grounds of potential threats to public order, according to BFM.

In its decision, the court cited incidents recorded during a previous march held in May 2025, as well as what it described as a “highly polarised political environment” in 2026.

The ruling also noted that in recent months, clashes had taken place in several French cities, including Paris, between antifascist and far-right groups, increasing the risk of violence.

The court further pointed to the use of symbols associated with neo-Nazism during the 2025 event, along with slogans and actions that showed signs of incitement to hatred, including Nazi salutes and xenophobic statements.

The May 9 Committee has organised annual events for more than three decades in memory of Sébastien Deyzieu, who died in 1994 while being pursued by police.

This marks the first time since 2008 that a C9M march has been banned. Around 1,000 people took part in the 2025 event, including far-right activists and neo-fascists, marching under black flags bearing Celtic crosses.

Organisers had previously said the 2026 event would be dedicated to “fallen comrades,” including a far-right activist who died following an attack by antifascists in Lyon in February 2026.

The Paris police prefecture had pushed for the ban, warning of possible clashes with a counter-demonstration by antifascist groups under the slogan “No Nazis in Paris.”

By Tamilla Hasanova