Nantes: demonstrations against the arrival of Eric Zemmour at the Zénith – France 3 Régions

Éric Zemmour’s visit to the Zenith in Nantes is scheduled for 5 p.m. Two calls to demonstrate against his arrival were launched, one at 2 p.m. at the reflecting pool on the initiative of Solidaires, and the other at 3 p.m. in the Atlantis shopping area, near the Zénith, at the initiative of far-left organizations united under the banner of Nantes Révoltée.

The Solidaires gathering brings together associations or organizations such as Attac, Young for Climate, Person à la rue, the PCF. For Solidaires Loire-Atlantique, Eric Zemmour embodies the extreme right, “a machine to exclude, to divide and to destroy the social gains. The speech of the almost candidate, like that of the nationalists and fascists of all stripes finds its anchoring in the consequences of the crises which we cross”.

Five hundred people responded to the call of Solidaires, which calls for the reopening in Nantes of a People’s House, “demanding a roof for all, for the unconditional welcome of migrants”.

Tear gas at the Zenith

In the parking lot of the Atlantis shopping center, 150 to 200 people were already gathered from 3 p.m. The footbridge which leads to the Zenith above the expressway was prohibited since yesterday, and guarded by the police.

Around 4 p.m., several dozen people, displaying anarchist flags and chanting “Zemmour to death, to death the fascists” crossed the expressway to reach the accesses of the Zenith, overwhelming the police, who fired tear gas canisters towards the moving crowd.

Inside, Eric Zemmour was able to be applauded, like a campaign candidate, by 2,000 fans, won over to his cause, some wearing Zemmour 2022 T-shirts for some.