French stage anti-racism protest after Chinese man’s death

PARIS – Crowds are rallying in the French capital to call for an end to violence against Asian immigrants, after the beating death of a Chinese merchant called new attention to ethnic tensions in Paris.

Local officials and representatives of the governing Socialist Party joined Sunday’s march, organized by anti-racism and Chinese community groups calling for better police protection.

The spark for the protest was the death of Chinese tailor Chaolin Zhangh last month in the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers after a robbery attempt. The victim’s lawyer says the attack was ethnically motivated, and the area’s Chinese immigrant community says it is routinely targeted by armed robbers and violence.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve met with Zhangh’s family and promised better security. Three people have been handed preliminary charges in the death.