It is known that on this subject, the former president of Nissa Rebela, who initiated the “wine and sausage” gatherings, is inexhaustible.
Integrated into the leadership of the National Rally, he opposes any community demonstration which, for him, is “an Islamist provocation.”
Last week, he condemned the decision of the Mayor’s office to grant a plot of land in the Var Plain to the same association responsible for organizing the prayer that is the subject of his intervention.
On this occasion, well supported by municipal and metropolitan councillor Marie-Christine Arnautu, he is decidedly taking the offensive.
Beyond any possible administrative violations, he will discover nothing more than what is already evident: the good relations between the municipality and the UMAM association.
After the legitimate emotion stirred by the street prayer that gathered thousands of Muslims on Friday morning for the end of Ramadan, I decided to refer the matter to the Public Prosecutor by relying on Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
I intend that all responsibilities be established both concerning the undeclared assembly and regarding the public order disturbance constituted by the broadcast of the prayer through powerful loudspeakers throughout the Ariane district and even into the neighboring municipalities of La Trinité and Saint-André-de-la-Roche.
Questions remain about the organization of this gathering. Indeed, the street prayer took place in the fenced parking lot of the Lino Ventura municipal theater. At the same time, the women were praying inside the hall. UMAM (the UOIF Islamist representation in the department) had called for gathering at the Lino Ventura Theater, and shortly after the prayer, one could read on its Facebook page: “the Lino Ventura Theater which was graciously made available by the city of Nice.” The message was later modified, but it appears clear that it was indeed the municipality that provided these premises.
Marie-Christine Arnautu, RN municipal and metropolitan councillor, has requested the convention established between UMAM/UOIF and the City of Nice be communicated to her, to understand under what conditions the theater was granted.
Furthermore, several photos show the presence, still at the Lino Ventura theater that same morning, of Jean-Paul David, deputy chief of staff to Christian Estrosi in charge of social cohesion and religious affairs, seated with Imam Aissaoui, leader of the UOIF in Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes.
Given these known elements (men praying in the theater parking apparently made available by the municipality, women in the hall, his deputy chief of staff present), it is difficult to understand Christian Estrosi’s tweet invoking “the laws of the Republic” and condemning “in the strongest terms” the street prayer that took place.
Through this report to the Public Prosecutor, I want the justice system to now be able to establish all responsibilities and clear up any ambiguities. Those who organized this Islamist provocation, or made it possible, must be held accountable.
Philippe Vardon
Member of the National Bureau of the National Rally
Vice-President of the RN group in the Regional Council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Responsible for the Nice Basin
