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FRANCE: March against racism: "We must show that France is not like that"

 

"My race is human", "We're all Taubira", "What color is your heart?". In the ranks of the march in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 30, from the Place de la République, the signs held by the protesters expressed their indignation at racism. Few weeks after the insults hurled against the Minister of Justice Christiane Taubira comparing a monkey, several thousand people gathered to say no to all forms of discrimination.

At the head of the procession, they are collective ultramarine, Collectifdom and CM98 (On the May 23, 1998 Committee), very affected by the attacks against the Attorney General, who launched the movement. "We must respond to all forms of racism! More than 101 organizations have signed our appeal, "comments José Romana, member of CM98, which campaigns for the victims of slavery. Alongside these collective representing the overseas community, four anti-racism associations (SOS Racisme, LDH, MRAP and Lycra), also naturally joined the march. "There has been a catalyst with the One Minute and insults against the Minister, but it is several years since the liberalization of racist speech are denounced" denounces Hadrian Lenoir National Office Sos Racisme. "There is a real décomplexion and we need a Republican surge. Our period is similar to the 30s with the economic crisis, an unpopular government and opposition exploded. There is an inward-and this is the National Front that benefits from all this. " Thirty years after the famous "march against racism" or "walking Beurs," the activist but refuses to draw a picture too dark "physical violence have relatively gone, it nevertheless there is still discrimination but are less visible. "

"Beyond the political parties"

Many politicians have also joined the march. In the first line, the only representative of the Government, George Pau-Langevin, the Minister responsible for Educational Success, does not hide his disgust the indoor climate: "When a minister insulted, it is the values ​​of the Republic who are insulted. We have come to say that racism is not possible. " A few meters from the Minister, in serried ranks, two political opponents, stand arm. Alvine Moutongo-Black, Modem, deputy mayor of Clichy La Garenne is Guenoux front with Muriel, President of Left Radicals Ile de France: "It is beyond political parties. The Republic is set in diversity. These are very serious about what was said. A newspaper can do that in A, it is very serious, you can not laugh at everything ".

Unit also displayed by the unions. In the event, CGT, CFDT or UNSA march side by side. "Even if it is a union, we could not pass up this kind of place," protested Beatrice Phillipet, UNSA regional secretary, Haute-Normandie. To this union, racism is increasingly present in companies: "We realize that when hiring employees, there is always the question of facies or then the area where people come. These are intolerable things. If we do not act now, tomorrow will be too late. "

"France is ignorant"

The actors of civil society are at the forefront to express their anger "climate nauseating." But in the procession, very sparse, anonymous also made the trip. Patrick Ramassany a Caribbean has trouble recognizing his country: "When there were insults against Christiane Taubira, I was in the U.S. for a conference, I was ashamed . They talked over there. " Beside him, Yvette Danes did not hesitate it either to brave the cold of the end of November. "Being black and immigrant, I feel concerned," says this woman of forty years. "We need to go ahead and show that France is not like that. It is a minority, but the majority must be careful. " For this demonstrator is on the government to take measures to fight against racism: "We must repeat the history curriculum. As we do not speak of the past, we can not build the future. France is ignorant. "

The future belongs precisely Dhiya and Medina, two high school students Honoré de Balzac in Paris. These two friends are proud to be present. While we are preparing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the march against racism, they want to take over their own way: "They were very brave because they were at the start bit "explain it with reference to the movement 1983. "We also we created a union high school. Always fight! Our goal is to expose a maximum racism "is do they excite before returning to the event.