[pjc50]

That statement stands specifically in opposition to "forced assmimilation", which is a term that normally refers to things the minority are forced to do to conform - mandatory conversion of Jews to Christianity, that kind of thing.

The important bit has to be "Europeans cannot define themselves anymore through the colour of their skin and/or their religion" - that is, something like the American ideal. It is not necessary to be white or of a particular religious denomination to be American; the whole point of the "melting pot" is that it's open to everyone who chooses to have that identity.

What they are arguing is that "French" can no longer continue to require "white, Christian" for someone to be considered French.