We had known and appreciated the humanitarian activist who held the migrants’ cause close to his heart and who housed them in his home. A beautiful gesture of solidarity.
Charged with breaking the law, he became a media figure during his trial at the Nice Court: the judges limited the sentence to a suspended fine.
But, of course, like an appetite that grows with eating, the shepherd grew fond of his new role, and here he is, at all events, seeking the spotlight.
Here in Cannes is Cรฉdric Herrou with Michel Toesca, a director living in Saorge, filming this story. The aim is to make it into a feature film called “A tous vents.” The film is expected to conclude next June during the appeal trial in Aix.
Cรฉdric Herrou, the director, and the producer of the film have been in Cannes in recent days to promote this project. The shepherd appeared quite comfortable in an unfamiliar setting for him.
Then, having reassumed the mantle of defending the humanitarian cause, between May 15 and 21, Cรฉdric Herrou again had to welcome 90 new migrants into his home.
And again, on Wednesday the 24th, he took the train from Breil-sur-Roya, accompanied by 80 migrants, to the refugee reception center in Nice so they could apply for asylum, in accordance with French law.
Since the center could only accommodate about twenty people, he organized a night camp so that the others could sleep under the stars at the Estienne-d’Orves park.
Can you imagine the local right-wing tolerating this “invasion” during an election campaign?
The authorities (prefecture and police) are being called upon to put an end to this situation, which is, of course, illegal.
Evicted, they were taken to the Palais de Justice where they intend to spend the night.
But Cรฉdric Herrou is now in the realm of provocation, and he and his associates are deliberately seeking to create a striking case.
It is true that one can accuse the French state of having no strategy regarding immigration, except for practicing the ostrich policy, and that limiting itself to strengthening border control is like treating cancer with aspirin.
The proof? The dozens of migrants stationed in the Roya Valley who are waiting…
But this problem, which has many facets and is complex, deserves more than the striking and theatrical gestures of a humanitarian turned protagonist of current events.
Cรฉdric Herrou says he is a shepherd. Well, let him practice his profession without taking on his poses of the Gandhi of the Roya.
Besides, imitations are rarely successful: can you imagine Gandhi traveling by train during his salt tax march?
On foot, Mr. Herrou!
