Attempts by the extreme-right to intimidate marchers supporting migrants foiled

In the Var, xenophobic demonstrators attempted to disrupt a people’s march. The group bypassed them and gathered instead for a celebration.

In Muy (Var) on Sunday, the route of the people’s march, organised in solidarity to welcome migrants and in protest against “crimes against solidarity” and the blockading of the Italian and English borders with France, was slightly altered and transformed into a party that evening.

For the sixth stage, the marchers were due to meet in Puget-sur-Agens (Var) during the morning but a few dozen xenophobic National Front militants gathered there to spread their foul propaganda, with cries of “French first, immigrants out.”

The group opted to ignore them, maintaining their good humour and turning off towards Les Arcs, then on to Muy, where many residents came out in support with music and refreshments.

“We’ll get to London,” insisted Maya Konforti, in response to the handful of extreme-right supporters who had arrived to block their route. She is the secretary of the Auberge des Migrants group, which initiated the march along with Roya-Citoyenne and is among the eight marchers who will undertake the entire journey. They have been joined at every stage by new supporters, who have walked with them for a few kilometres. There were 107 at the beginning of the march in Vintimille, in Italy on 30 April and they aim to reach Dover at the beginning of July. They are currently traveling through Var and should reach Marseille by next weekend.