The “video clip” incident was a provocation by young people who don’t have much on their minds and don’t consider the possible consequences of their actions, or…? Are the identitarians right to refer to “the ethnic divide and the total failure of the multicultural model,” or is it a classic case of exploiting a simple incident for propaganda purposes?
Some questions should still be asked so that everyone can draw their own conclusions:
(i) How can young people, probably not as foolish as one might think at first glance, shoot a clip of this kind “in broad daylight” thinking that no one will react?
(ii) How could this clip be made without anyone noticing before it was broadcast on the internet? Isn’t there a police station in Ariane? Isn’t there a priest to report that an Algerian flag is displayed on the neighborhood church wall? No cameras either?
(iii) A clip is not a photo: it requires organization, technical resources, and it has a cost. Was it self-financed, or did someone generously help? If so, by whom and why?
(iv) Given that the clip shows a fairly large number of participants or extras, several people were certainly aware of the initiative? Is there no “intelligence” activity in sensitive places?
That a movement calling itself identitarian exploits an episode that remains somewhat shrouded in mist to its advantage should not surprise anyone: each takes care of their business as best as they can.
There remains the seriousness of Philippe Vardon’s accusation when he denounces that Christians live in Ariane in a condition of difficulty. Is it a provocation from the president of Nissa Rebela, or does he know specific facts?
In this case, he would have the duty to take responsibility by publicly stating it. Otherwise, he should not play the arsonist by spreading information without foundation.
Does the police know nothing? Does the Bishopric of Nice have nothing to say about not being able to practice one’s faith in full freedom?
And the City Hall in all this? Isn’t there a local official who should be all ears and report information about delicate situations or facts?
Everyone knows that this kind of situation must be managed proactively and not try to intervene afterwards… Quite often when the eggs are already broken?
Certainly, Philippe Vardon’s ability to accuse Christian Estrosi of being “more in contemplation than in action” adds a burlesque tone to the whole issue!
Conclusion:
(i) It is necessary to demand respect for the French Republic’s values from everyone. Including the rap group Negrescro, whose members should be explained this principle with pedagogy and, if necessary, in a more prescriptive way.
(ii) The image of the Ariane neighborhood should not be tainted due to the harmful intentions of a few such individuals.
(iii) Any xenophobic drift must be avoided, an attitude that should remain foreign to political activity even in its harshest form.
Moral:
There are universal values that must be affirmed in all circumstances, and we must all be ardent defenders of them: freedom of conscience that legitimizes secularism, freedom of thought which is the very essence of emancipation, and freedom of religion for those touched by the grace of faith, whatever it may be.
Is it too much to remind all protagonists, participants, and extras of this reality that surpasses fiction?
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Summary of facts extracted from the various statements we received:
A rap group, Negrescro, recently released a violent and provocative music video on the internet that sparked a reaction from the political movement Nissa Rebela (“this film includes a number of unacceptable, illegal, anti-French actions, contrary to all Republican principles and simply shocking”), which accuses the Estrosi municipality of hiding behind a supposed artistic tolerance and once more demonstrating its weakness in defending the Niçois, their security, and their identity.
In turn, local MP Rudy Salles, representative of the Nice neighborhood of Ariane, strongly condemned the episode: “I reject this type of drift with the utmost determination and ask the public authorities to fully assume their responsibilities.”
Philippe Vardon – president of NISSA REBELA – decided to challenge the Prefect and the Public Prosecutor by sending them a letter drawing their attention to this clip and requesting that an investigation be carried out by their services, particularly to identify the men brandishing firearms within it.
A police investigation has been entrusted to the Departmental Security to identify the authors of various offenses (traffic-related) featured in the clip, and – above all – the holders of the firearms displayed therein.
Regarding these weapons: interviewed by France 3, rapper “PAP” and his friends claimed that they were all fake. To support their demonstration, one of them pulled a gun out of his scooter’s trunk and fired several times at one of his friends. Indeed, they were blank bullets…
The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, declared himself “shocked” and “outraged” and announced his intention to approach the Prosecutor.
This prompted a reaction from the identitarians: “We wish the Mayor to be a little less contemplative and more active. It’s commendable on his part, but by Thursday morning, we had already submitted to the Prosecutor and the Prefect a complete dossier on Negrescro’s transgressions,” stigmatized Philippe Vardon.
Who goes even further and states: “We remain vigilant. We want the police to fully clarify these weapons, and we want the Christians – now a minority in the Muslim neighborhood of Ariane – to be protected and respected. If the mayor of Nice is sincerely ‘shocked’ and ‘outraged’ by what we have revealed, he should go all the way and acknowledge his share of responsibility to the Niçois and make his mea culpa.”
