From the Reynerie district, in Toulouse,
“I was quietly sitting in the park with my friends and my dog. The cops came by and they shot my poor Jack, my Malinois just because he barked. “Calm returned this Thursday to Place Abbal in the priority district of Mirail in Toulouse the day after the urban violence that occurred following the death of Nahel in Nanterre. But Mohammed is still angry. “It’s as if he had shot my son”, testifies this young weakling hidden behind his cap and his blue and white jogging set which do not hide his sadness.
“A son”, a real one, shot dead, that’s exactly where it all started. At 700 kilometers from Toulouse, at the same time, this Thursday afternoon, the white march was held in tribute to Nahel, killed by the shooting of a policeman. And from Nanterre to the Pink City, the same misunderstanding, the same support.
“They expressed their anger. It is legitimate “
“Yesterday they expressed their feelings, their anger. It’s legitimate”, justifies Britney*, a fashion intern who walks around Abbal Square while the cleaners – some of whom are still hooded – try to erase the scars of the night. A dead car still stands, witness to this gathering of “anger and fury”, depicts Hassan*, “a guy from here”, “proud” of his neighborhood and his “solidarity”. At 19, out of high school, he does not intend to leave and will continue “to avenge the death of innocent people and brothers against the police”. “Violence against violence”, adds this colossus locked in his football shirt.
“What’s going to settle, burning cars?” »
A violence that other inhabitants do not condone. Like Leslie*, 16, sitting on a bench by the water with her family. If the shock of Nahel’s murder does not pass, that does not excuse everything for her: “it is normal to be angry. But what’s going to settle, burning cars? To burn garbage cans? “The one who wants to join the Navy understands the reactions but cannot justify the violence “whether it is on one side or the other. We all have to find the right path.
Hard to believe that a few hours earlier, the Reynerie district was on fire while this Thursday afternoon, the youth are enjoying their picnic. Samir* and Ahmed* ride around on their little scooter. They are recovering from their night. They are 13 years old and display big smiles and satisfaction. “It was fun. It had been a long time since we had all met. It was a good atmosphere”, describes Samir with the ringed smile of an adolescent who hopes to become “the greatest lookout of the Reynerie”.
“It was scary, it was violent”
Their spontaneity would almost make them forget why they heated the Mirail last night, at nightfall. “It makes us sad for this boy and it is especially scary. The police must protect us”, develops Ahmed who dreams of being a professional footballer far from all these “horrible events”.
Still, the atmosphere was not “good” for everyone. In any case not for Inès, hidden under a long turquoise blue dress. “It was scary. It was violent, there were fires everywhere, ”says the 15-year-old girl who is taking advantage of the mild weather after being cloistered at home all night.
*Names have been changed.