Mayor Bally Bagayoko Leads Massive Anti-Racism Rally in Saint-Denis

Newly Elected Saint-Denis Mayor Organizes Massive Anti-Racism Rally Following Racist Attacks

Thousands of people gathered in Saint-Denis on Saturday, April 4, 2026, to stand in support for Bally Bagayoko, the city’s newly elected mayor. The rally was organized by Bagayoko as a direct response to a wave of racist abuse he has faced since taking office, serving as a call to mobilize against racism.

The event drew significant political attention, with prominent figures including Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Manon Aubry, and others from La France Insoumise (LFI) expected to attend the anti-racism gathering. Bagayoko, who envisions this rally as the catalyst for a broader national and European movement, has vowed to combat the inequality and race hatred that he believes are fueling deep societal divisions.

The controversy erupted following Bagayoko’s victory in the municipal elections on March 15, 2026, where he won in the first round with 50.77% of the vote. Shortly after his win, guests on a debate show on CNews—a station owned by conservative industrialist Vincent Bolloré—allegedly used racist language, referring to the mayor with references to “apes” and “tribal chiefs.” The Paris prosecutor’s office has since launched an investigation into those comments, while police are conducting a separate inquiry into online hate speech directed at the mayor.

The severity of the attacks prompted Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to speak out, stating that the abuse of Bagayoko represents a “normalisation of racism and evil” in France. Such targeted harassment has raised broader concerns regarding the mental health impact of racist insults on those they target, characterized by heightened anxiety and insecurity. These incidents occur against a backdrop of systemic issues, including anti-Black racism in the workforce, where individuals often uncover themselves relegated to specific, limited roles.

Bagayoko’s ascent to the mayorship is a historic milestone for La France Insoumise. Saint-Denis, which merged with Pierrefitte-sur-Seine in early 2025, is now the most populous commune in Île-de-France after Paris, with roughly 150,000 residents. This makes it the first city of over 100,000 inhabitants won by the party and the largest city in France under LFI governance.

A 52-year-old manager at the RATP, Bagayoko’s personal history is deeply tied to the city he now leads. Born in Levallois-Perret to parents of Malian origin from the village of Gouni, he grew up in the social housing of northern Saint-Denis. He began working at age 15 as a vendor at the city’s town-centre market, an experience he credits as a cornerstone of his identity. He later earned a master’s degree in the science and techniques of suburb knowledge and a DESS in geopolitics from Paris 8 University.

Since assuming office on March 21, 2026, Bagayoko has signaled a clear break from the previous administration. In a telling gesture of his political stance, he removed the official portrait of President Emmanuel Macron from his office, placing it face down in the corner of the room. “He is in the corner! That is where his place is,” Bagayoko remarked.

As France prepares for the 2027 presidential election, Bagayoko’s struggle against racial abuse and his commitment to tackling inequality highlight the volatile political climate and the escalating tensions surrounding race and identity in the country.