Riot police gathered outside the Oxford University Union tonight ahead of a speech and Q&A session with French far-right activist Marion Maréchal – the niece of National Front leader Marine Le Pen.
Tensions grew as approximately 100 protesters shouted and chanted at police, as blockades and officers guarded the entrances to the Union.
Police vans lined the entrances outside as officers on horseback patrolled the streets surrounding the prestigious union.
Protestors chanted ‘Who protects the Nazis? Police protect the Nazis!’, and ‘Oxford Union shame on you, Le Pen is a Nazi too!’, through megaphones and many wore masks and bandanas, as the atmosphere outside grew increasingly threatening.
During her speech on Tuesday night at the union, which is comprised largely of Oxford University students, she compared the ‘yellow vest’ protesters rallying throughout France to Britons who voted to leave the European Union.
‘The gilets jaunes (yellow vests) are very similar to your Brexiteers,’ she told the respectful crowd of around 500 people. We are in the middle of a populist movement,’ she added.
Riot police gathered outside the Oxford University Union tonight ahead of a speech and Q&A session with French far-right activist Marion Maréchal – the niece of National Front leader Marine Le Pen. Tensions grew as approximately 100 protesters shouted and chanted at police, as blockades and officers guarded the entrances to the Union
Protesters chanted ‘Who protects the Nazis? Police protect the Nazis!’, and ‘Oxford Union shame on you, Le Pen is a Nazi too!’, through megaphones and many wore masks and bandanas, as the atmosphere outside grew increasingly threatening
‘Behind the word populist there is the word people – people who have been abandoned, people with no representation.’
The 29-year-old former French parliament member is the granddaughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the anti-migrant National Front party, and the niece of Marine Le Pen, the leader of its successor the National Rally.
Marechal, who has stopped referring to herself as Marechal-Le Pen in an apparent bid to distance herself from her relatives, now heads a political science school in Lyon that aims to raise a new generation of ultra-conservative leaders.
The 29-year-old former French parliament member (pictured right) is the granddaughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the anti-migrant National Front party, and the niece of Marine Le Pen, the leader of its successor the National Rally
Whistles were blown and placards were waved ahead of Ms Maréchal’s talk at 5pm, and as snow fell on the world’s most most famous university, police were seen to clash with some protestors – and dragged one angry person from the scene
Her invitation to deliver the speech and debate students at Oxford Union drew protests from local community leaders.
Around 100 people rallied under light snow in the scenic city, some holding up signs reading ‘Le Pen, never again,’ and ‘No to Nazis’.
‘At a time when the far right is on the rise in Europe, including in the UK, I think this is completely unacceptable,’ said Oxford Labour party co-chair Rabyah Khan, 30.
Her invitation to deliver the speech and debate students at Oxford Union drew protests from local community leaders. Around 100 people rallied under light snow in the scenic city, some holding up signs reading ‘Le Pen, never again,’ and ‘No to Nazis’
Protesters outside Oxford Union before Marion Marechal-Le Pen is due to give a talk there Anti Marion Marechal-Le Pen outside the Oxford Union
‘What is very worrying is how the Oxford Union keeps inviting far-right extremists to their events. We had Steve Bannon here recently,’ she said, referring to the former chief strategist for US President Donald Trump.
Bannon is currently trying to coordinate the efforts of aspiring far-right parties across Europe.
Oxford Union president Daniel Wilkinson said the protesters were welcome to debate Marechal.
‘We understand and respect the right to peaceful protest, and we are pleased that people are out speaking their minds,’ Wilkinson said in a statement.
Whistles were blown and placards were waved ahead of Ms Maréchal’s talk at 5pm, and as snow fell on the world’s most most famous university, police were seen to clash with some protestors – and dragged one angry person from the scene
Some attending Tuesday’s demonstration said they came out in support of free speech.
‘We just believe in free discourse and debate,’ said Maya Thomas, whose sign read: ‘Challenge. Don’t silence!’
However most of the protesters were unlikely to have been able to attend Marechal’s speech, as it was only open to Oxford Union members.
Whistles were blown and placards were waved ahead of Ms Maréchal’s talk at 5pm, and as snow fell on the world’s most most famous university, police were seen to clash with some protestors – and dragged one angry person from the scene.