Vaud Far-Right Rally Canceled Amid Anti-Fascist Mobilization

An planned far-right extremist rally in the Swiss canton of Vaud has been called off, following significant mobilization by anti-fascist organizations. The event, organized by the far-right group Résistance helvétique, was scheduled to feature three French speakers known for their antisemitic and negationist ideologies. These speakers, including Vincent Reynouard, Jérôme Bourbon, and Christophe Picard, have faced convictions for crimes related to hate speech and denial of historical atrocities. The conference, themed "white Europe," was initially announced in the French publication Rivarol, which itself has a history of legal issues concerning antisemitic and revisionist content. The location of the rally was kept vague, with details to be provided upon registration, reportedly using an email address linked to Franz Riedweg, a Swiss doctor associated with the Waffen SS. The cancellation underscores the impact of counter-protests in preventing such gatherings.