Greenpeace unfurls anti-Le Pen 'resist' banner on Eiffel Tower

Greenpeace climbers unfurled a banner emblazoned with the French republican slogan "Liberty, Equality Fraternity" and the word "Resist" on the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Friday, a message urging people to vote against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in Sunday's presidential election.

The sign, which went up at about 5 a.m. local time, was removed after 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, protests have broken out in some schools. TheParis school district says 10 high schools are completely or partially blocked by student protesters who say they oppose both presidential candidates.

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"We wanted to say we are against the rise of nationalism and authoritarianism in France and in other countries. This is our way of reminding everybody they all need to mobilise to defend these values of Liberty Equality and Fraternity," Jean-Franois Julliard, the advocacy group's head in France, told public radio station franceinfo.

Le Pen faces off against centrist Emmanuel Macron in the May 7 ballot. Macron is tipped in polls to win and become France's president for the next five years. The Greenpeace action came on the last day of campaigning.

Last day of campaigning before election

French centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron says his country has to find a common destiny and overcome the anger that is dividing it.

Macron, in the last day of campaigning for the presidential election, told Europe 1 radio that if he is elected his duty will be to "ensure that the country keeps its balance."

He said Friday he had chosen as his prime minister someone with enough political experience to help bring together a legislative majority but refused to name his choice.

Greenpeace hijacks Eiffel Tower with political protest

7 years ago

Duration 0:46

Massive banner dropped to protest against far-right leader Marine Le Pen

Despite a testy debate with far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Wednesday, Macron insisted that should he win she would be the first person he would call.

Le Pen says her anger during the presidential debate against her centrist rival is a reflection of the anger she sees throughout France.

In the last day of campaigning before Sunday's presidential vote, Le Pen acknowledged the testy debate between her and Macron.

"My words were nothing but the reflection of the anger that will explode in this country," she told RTL radio on Friday.

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She criticized Macron as the candidate of the elite and said the French have had enough of their political and economic situation.

In recent years, Le Pen has tried to soften the profile of the National Front party founded by her father. The party has long been accused of racism and anti-Semitism.