pink panthers

Above is a photo of one of many stenciled phrases lining the streets of Paris's 12th district. It reads, "hunting immigrants" and "Sarko, are you mad?" (a rebuke that finishes each of the graffitied texts). Other phrases blame Sarkozy for sponsoring racist and sexist policies. Next to the texts, the authors sign : "the pink panthers, transgaylesbians on the offensive". The pink panthers is a gay activist group based in Montreal. Sarkozy is against gay marriage.

Nicolas Sarkozy is by far the most contested candidate in this year's French presidential election. His involvement with last years' riots and his close relation with an increasingly aggressive police force scare many and have secured him a reputation as a racist and a fascist. His current movement to expel illegal immigrants is especially upsetting. Stories of the expulsion of children and consequent separation from their friends and family, as well as the arrests of the very poor seeking humanitarian aid, enrage many.

Voters are wary that this is only the beginning of a long lineage of militant tactics. Though Sarkozy seems to be the only candidate to speak lucidly about combatting unemployment and rejuvenating the economy, people ask, "at what price?". The aftertaste of injustice may just be strong enough to keep him from winning.