On anti-Le Pen protests

Protesting is a form of political engagement. In a democracy, it is no less legitimate than participating in an election, signing a petition or being a member of a (political) party. Since the first-round of the election all these means have been used against Jean-Marie Le Pen, particularly by the young, who forcefully condemn racism and xenophobia, loudly proclaiming their attachment to human rights, defending these values of the Republic.

... There isn't any reason to pit the street and the election booth against each other, like some leaders of the right have done ... Jean-Pierre Raffarin said he was worried by "the scope of the protests" the risk of provocation and the "boomerang effect" that could benefit Jean-Marie Le Pen.

... Those who have mobilized themselves in the defense of democracy ... are only saying that some of the great principles of the country are in danger. They are heard to proclaim loudly and strongly that which unites the community against what is dividing it. In the streets and in the voting booths.

-- Le Monde, Paris