In a heavy, dignified and solemn atmosphere, thousands of people responded this Sunday late in the morning in Strasbourg to the appeal launched by the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly, organized in the European capital by the International League against racism and anti-Semitism (Licra) in Bas-Rhin. A “great march against anti-Semitism and for the Republic”.
Gathered at Place de l’Université behind a single, sober banner, marked with the tricolor flag and the Licra logo and the slogan of the march, a large panel of political representatives, local elected officials, religious leaders… MEP Fabienne Keller , the mayor (EELV) of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian, the prefect of Bas-Rhin and Grand-Est Josianne Chevalier, or even, the list is long to be exhaustive, Thierry Roos, vice-president of the Israelite Consistory of Bas-Rhin . The latter also insisted and recalled that the only tricolor flag should appear during the march.
La Marseillaise and LFI executives
After a warmly applauded speech by the president of the University of Strasbourg Michel Deneken, a Marseillaise was started before the procession set off, calmly and without incident towards the Place de la République, passing by the avenue of freedom. “Quite a symbol, it’s important to never forget history,” assures Manon, a young Strasbourg resident who came with her mother. I almost never demonstrate, but I had to come, it’s too important, it’s too serious what’s happening.”
Another presence was noted: that of the main executives of LFI, namely the deputies François Ruffin, Alexis Corbière, Clémentine Autain and even Raquel Garrido. All came specially from Paris, responding to the call of Strasbourg LFI deputy Emmanuel Fernandes. With the desire to say “no to anti-Semitism”, François Ruffin stressed to journalists, recalling that their presence in Strasbourg was justified by a clear message from Licra du Bas-Rhin which had indicated that it did not wish “the coming in the procession of the extreme right. “There is anti-Semitism in France today,” he told reporters. Alexis Corbière. An anti-Semitism to which we must clearly say “no and without ambiguity”, insisted the deputy. Alexis Corbière was, however, sharply questioned at the very end of the demonstration by several people of Jewish faith, who wanted to ask him, not without irony, if “he was going to announce that he was leaving LFI”, a party which they judged “clearly anti-Semitic.”