This Monday, the inauguration of Square Samuel Paty in the Caudéran district of Bordeaux, exactly three years after the assassination of the history professor, inevitably had a particular coloring. This Friday another teacher, Dominique Bernard, was fatally stabbed in Arras by a radicalized former student and a double tribute was paid on the occasion of the unveiling of the plaque which renamed this Bordeaux park.
Under an autumnal sun, CE2 students from the Paul-Lapie school, neighboring the square, recited the poem in several voices. Freedom by Paul Eluard, before students from the conservatory sang on the violin, a tune composed for the event. The mines were serious and concentrated. The rector had to contain her emotion to continue her speech. “They embody, to use the beautiful expression of Robert Badinter, these quiet heroes, these anonymous heroes, these teachers who fight every day to promote to their students these values of the Republic to which we are so attached and which are the cement of our living together,” commented Pierre Hurmic, the mayor of Bordeaux.
It was the municipal viography commission of September 5, 2023 which unanimously decided to name the Caudéranais square after the history professor. The mayor stressed that he had wanted the time limit for honoring a personality after their death to be reduced from five to three years. The name of the Arras professor could also soon be engraved on a public building or a city park.
Increased security near schools
In all schools, security has been raised a notch after Friday’s tragedy. “The level of vigilance is reinforced: we check the identities of outsiders, we have the bags opened,” explains Anne Bisagni-Faure, the rector of Bordeaux. We are very vigilant regarding inappropriate comments on social networks and we also monitor crowds.” As for strengthening the presence of educational staff within establishments in a more lasting manner, she replies that it will be necessary to react “on a case by case basis”.
This Monday, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., in secondary schools, this time has been made commonplace to allow teachers to discuss and prepare for their return to class. “We did not leave the teachers alone,” assures the rector. We helped them to qualify the actions and to free the students’ speech. »
A hotline number has been set up, as in each academy, and 15 to 20 calls were received this weekend. Some spoke with the rectorate teams and others were directed towards the psychological listening service, offered in partnership with MGEN. The inter-union FSU, FO, CGT Educ’Action, SUD-Education, SNALC are calling for a rally this Monday from 6 p.m., on the Parvis des Droits de l’Homme in Bordeaux, in support of “the the entire educational community, to students, families and victims. »