Version imprimableThis tragic event shows the total ineffectiveness of the government’s policies and repressive measures, from the Vigipirate plan (an acronym for France’s national security system) to the continued restrictions on freedoms. On the contrary, the Islamophobic speeches of powerful political figures and incessant provocations are part of a warlike logic which can only reinforce already existing fractures, they feed fanatics of all stripes and propel us towards new catastrophes.
According to the powers that be, this is an internal war, but it has the same logic as all classical wars: the government calls for us to join forces behind it, to accept its anti-social, warlike, xenophobic, and Islamophobic policy, it relies on emotions raised by these attacks. Far-right politician Marine Le Pen is pushing this logic to the maximum by asking for wartime measures and, undoubtedly, new restrictions on freedoms.
In contrast to these policies, we demand, as soon as possible, guarantees for the fullest equality for all people within the country, the end of stigmatization and discrimination against immigrants, the rejection of Islamophobic speeches and actions, and support for measures to strengthen social justice and equality.
We reaffirm our struggle against the reactionary and deadly ideas which are arming the killers and feeding divisions. We call on all progressive organizations to refuse to join in the rhetoric and reality of repression, and to instead promote expressions and examples of solidarity between the different sectors of the population, wherever they may live, whatever their national origin or their religious beliefs. We are thinking here in particular of the marches and other initiatives against racism and for equality, which are the best guarantees to defend an egalitarian and united society in the face of all those forces promoting civil war.
Montreuil,
29 October 2020
Translation by No Borders News
