French Rightist Fined for Racist Statements
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MARSEILLES, France — The only candidate of the rightist National Front elected to a local council earlier this month was fined $500 Thursday for racism.
A court ruled that a leaflet signed by Councilman Jean Roussel with the headline “Let’s Stop The Massive Implantation Of Immigrants” violated France’s 1972 race laws.
The leaflet protested the construction of a low-income housing project in Marseilles, which has one of France’s biggest immigrant populations.
Roussel said he will appeal the fine, $400 of which was suspended for five years provided he behaved.
The case was brought by local anti-racist groups before the elections, but the court withheld its decision until after the ballot.
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