This Saturday, July 15, starting at 6:30 PM, a peaceful demonstration took place at Garibaldi Square. Signs, banners, and demands were the order of the day.
From 6:30 PM, a few dozen people gathered in the shade of the olive tree in Garibaldi Square. A tree of peace to shade the banners and activists who advocate for social peace in this troubled context. For them, the role of justice is to guarantee peace among citizens. A Rousseauist acceptance that takes on its meaning in this particularly tense atmosphere.
“Police impunity, enough!” read one banner. The message is clear. This mobilization went beyond the “Nahel event,” aiming to denounce “the unpunished police violence of recent decades.” Furthermore, the goal was to emphasize the importance of continuing the fight in a more peaceful atmosphere.
A tense context
On June 27, 2023 in Nanterre, Nahel M., aged 17, was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop. This event quickly ignited tensions and set the nation ablaze for several days. The riots were particularly violent, much more than in 2005. Indeed, the launch of a fundraiser for the police officer who fired the shot added fuel to the fire.
However, although there has been a return to calm for some time, the demands remain strong. Police violence is a deeply divisive issue. While some idolize the law enforcement forces, others immediately defend the individual being apprehended, making dialogue seem broken. Thus, renewing dialogue was the preferred angle of this peaceful demonstration at Garibaldi Square.
