But these narratives ignore the fundamental reality: ordinary people are organizing against deteriorating economic conditions, austerity, rising costs of living, declining public services and a political establishment increasingly disconnected from working people. From students to labor unions, the Frances protests reflect grievances that extend well beyond immigration. Years of economic insecurity, plus Europe's energy crisis and the consequences of Western interventionist foreign policy, created the conditions for widespread public anger that spread beyond France's borders to Italy, Spain and beyond. The French have a long history of mass mobilization, general strikes and organized resistance. From May 1968 until the yellow vest protests and the pension reforms, workers repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to challenge political and economic power. Meanwhile, in the United States, rallies like the "No Kings" protests raise millions in the mainstream, but critics say they amount to little more than symbolic demonstrations, backed by political activists seeking electoral messages. They have failed to produce significant structural change because they only focus on the hyper-partisan disturbances. Opposition to Trump alone does not address policies that perpetuate economic inequality, war and corporate influence. And while some American leftists demand ideological integrity from protesters abroad, where is the similar sustained opposition against US wars, austerity or the erosion of workers' rights at home?

But these narratives ignore the fundamental reality: ordinary people are organizing against deteriorating economic conditions, austerity, rising costs of living, declining public services and a political establishment increasingly disconnected from working people. From students to labor unions, the Frances protests reflect grievances that extend well beyond immigration. Years of economic insecurity, plus Europe's energy crisis and the consequences of Western interventionist foreign policy, created the conditions for widespread public anger that spread beyond France's borders to Italy, Spain and beyond. The French have a long history of mass mobilization, general strikes and organized resistance. From May 1968 until the yellow vest protests and the pension reforms, workers repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to challenge political and economic power. Meanwhile, in the United States, rallies like the "No Kings" protests raise millions in the mainstream, but critics say they amount to little more than symbolic demonstrations, backed by political activists seeking electoral messages. They have failed to produce significant structural change because they only focus on the hyper-partisan disturbances. Opposition to Trump alone does not address policies that perpetuate economic inequality, war and corporate influence. And while some American leftists demand ideological integrity from protesters abroad, where is the similar sustained opposition against US wars, austerity or the erosion of workers' rights at home?