Clément Méric, an 18 years anti-fascist activist and student syndicalist activist, was declared brain-dead this morning. He was attacked in the  heart of Paris by extreme-right skinheads.

A very rough translation of the statement by his union, Solidaires, is below.

On Wednesday, June 5, 2013, leaving a clothing store near the Saint-Lazare, our comrade Clement, a unionist in Solidaires Etudiant-e-s and Antifascist Action Paris-Banlieue activist, was beaten to death by members of the extreme right. The death of our comrade takes place in the context of the development of a violent fascist movement in France and elsewhere in Europe. Clement is in a brain dead state Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital due to his injuries. 

His loss overwhelms us. Our pain and anger are compounded by the certainty that there are very many, antifacist activists and people exposed to homophobia and/or racism, who could and can still be victims. 

Today all our thoughts are with his family, his loved-ones and his comrades in Solidaires Etudiant-e-s with whom we express our solidarity. 

This heinous act is inseparable from the increase in racist attacks by homophobic right-wing extremists over the past months and the creation of a climate of hatred, which is maintained by political speeches condemning not exclusive of the National Front and fascist factions.

Beyond the police and judicial action, it is time to strengthen the anti-fascist movement. With Solidaires Etudiant-e-s, the Solidaires union calls on all those who condemn this heinous act and refuse to tolerate the  extreme right vermin to participate massively in many rallies today and in the coming days in Paris and in the provinces. This includes the demonstration tonight Thursday, June 6 from 17 h in front of the passage of Havre Saint Lazare metro and then join the Saint Michel 18 H 30. 

Paris, June 6, 2013.