Paris Against Trump: Demonstrations Greet US President in France
Parisians and Americans alike speak out against Trump during Bastille Day visit
Paris Against Trump organized a "No Trump Zone" in the center of the city. (Photo: Nicolas Bourcier/Twitter)
People gathered in central squares and marched in the streets of Paris on Thursday to make their opposition known to President Donald Trump as he arrived in France ahead of Bastille Day celebrations.
After a rally at the Place de Etats-Unis, the former home of the U.S. embassy, hundreds of protesters gathered at Place de la Republique to begin the "No Trump Zone" demonstrations planned to coincide with Trump's visit.
As the two leaders held a press conference to discuss foreign policy and trade, and Trump defended his son's 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer during which he thought he would learn damaging information about Hillary Clinton, anti-Trump protesters gathered with signs saying "No Hate" and "Save the Planet! Resist Trump!"
Parisians spoke about specific grievances regarding Trump's presidency, including his history of abusing women.
"Trump, l'incarnation d'un système patriarcal, misogyne" #NOTRUMPZONE #Republique pic.twitter.com/l8LXW5213Z
— Thomas Grimaldi (@tgrimaldi1) July 13, 2017
A large American contingent also joined the protest, with some singing the U.S. national anthem and many waving signs expressing views on healthcare, climate change, and other issues.
#TrumpParis - Manifestation Anti-Trump à Paris avec la communauté américaine en France.
— Remy Buisine (@RemyBuisine) July 13, 2017
Hymne américain et nombreux slogans contre Trump. pic.twitter.com/4ZLc2gAYTf
#TrumpinParis #ParisAgainstTrump pic.twitter.com/GCLhIwOvMI
— Lucille (@PazientinaX) July 13, 2017
#NoTrumpZone #20h Paris n'est pas Hambourg, à peine 200 personnes #République contre la visite de Trump pic.twitter.com/LA4niUX0TS
— Nicolas Bourcier (@NicolasBourcier) July 13, 2017
According to the Paris Against Trump Facebook group, the organizers of the protest object to Trump's "positions on the climate crisis, his international politics against migrants, his sexist speeches and behaviour, his Islamophobia and racist remarks, [and] his military plans around the world."
More demonstrations are also expected on Friday throughout the city, including an anti-racism march from the Place de Clichy.
While President Macron's interactions with Trump were cordial, the French leader acknowledged in the joint press conference that he and Trump have major disagreements, including on the U.S. president's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change.