French Far-Right Presidential Candidate Put in Headlock at Campaign Rally

Far-right French Presidential candidate Eric Zemmour was grabbed round the neck and placed in a headlock at his first election rally, which also saw his supporters attacking anti-racist protesters.

Footage shows Zemmour moving through a crowd of supporters at the rally at an exhibition centre in Villepint, a suburb of Paris on Sunday surrounded by a security detail when a man reaches out and grabs his head, attempting to drag him towards the crowd, before security guards intervene. Zemmour was reported to have sustained light injuries.

Police made 62 arrests at the rally and prosecutors have opened a criminal inquiry into the violence that took place.

At the rally Zemmour made a speech against migration, warning that French people are being “replaced”, echoing the racist great replacement conspiracy theory espoused by the far-right and white supremacists.

Zemmour is a 63-year-old TV pundit who has been convicted several times for inciting hate speech. He regularly causes controversy with his statements that critics see as racist and sexist. He announced his candidacy for French president last week. The rally was seen as a chance to invigorate his campaign as he has been sliding in the polls in recent weeks.

Activists from anti-racist group SOS Racism also attended the rally and revealed T-shirts spelling out “Non Au Racism”. Footage shows attendees attacking the activists and throwing chairs at them. Blood was visible on at least two of the activists as they were ejected from the auditorium, according to the AFP news agency.

The group tweeted that the activists were there “to say no to racism in a peaceful manner. The video, of incredible violence, speaks for itself.”

Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure accused Zemmour of legitimising the violence.

A news crew from Quotidien TV which has been critical of Zemmour was booed at the event and removed by security. Zemmour has had a point of criticising the media in his speeches.

Anarchists and far-left activists disrupted Zemmour’s trip to Marseille last weekend, and the candidate ended up giving them the finger. This weekend’s rally was protected by riot police who searched people’s bags as they arrived.

The first round of the French presidential election will be held in April.