We do not follow in the footsteps of those who see inexcusable and reprehensible excesses as insurrectional acts, nor in the emotion of those who make a national flag a fleeting moment.
Revolutions follow other processes, and patriotism is not resolved into a flag in the wind.
All of this is just posturing, attempts to play with emotions. Games of “musikanten,” as the Germans call these street performers who entertain the good people in the village square before moving on to the next.
However, if it is necessary to clarify the true scope of the facts so as not to confuse a firecracker with a bomb, how can we not strongly stigmatize all those who take advantage of moments of jubilation to cause chaos in the streets and squares, with no regard for others, and … to vandalize urban furniture, storefronts, and steal items?
What is the connection between joy and destruction? Perhaps we need to start reflecting on this cause-effect relationship, and, first and foremost, stop justifying these behaviors and call them by their name: acts of violence.
There is no reason for it to go like this: we celebrate and we destroy, but why couldn’t we celebrate without destroying?
To conclude, just one question: wasn’t it possible to anticipate a fan zone where Algerian supporters could celebrate the potential victory of their team?
Reactions from patriotic officials:
Eric Ciotti, LR deputy: “I was shocked to see Algerian flags at Place Massena in Nice. Let’s not confuse nations; here we are in France: here there is only one flag, the tricolor, ours!”
Philippe Vardon, regional councilor of the RN: Beyond the purely security aspect, many people from Nice are also shocked by these virulent affirmations of a foreign patriotism on our soil. Both in terms of security and symbolic aspect, these excesses amount to genuine disturbances to public order.
