Two demonstrations planned for Saturday in Valence in connection with the death of young Thomas during a village ball in Crépol (Drôme) were banned by the Drôme prefecture “due to the risk of disturbances to public order”. These two demonstrations “clearly deviate from the declared title of tribute to Thomas and their concomitance is likely to cause significant unrest,” indicates the press release from the prefecture published on Friday.
In this press release the prefect once again calls for “calm and appeasement” while the death of young Thomas, fatally injured with a knife on November 25 in front of the village hall of Crépol (Drôme) has mobilized the ultra-right in the region and elsewhere in France, including clashes, injuries and arrests in Romans-sur-Isère (Drôme) and Lyon.
The mayor of Romans-sur-Isère threatened with death
Messages relayed by ultra-right accounts have been calling for a few days for a rally on Saturday in front of the prefecture in Valence, to demand “Justice for Thomas” and to protest against the convictions of six demonstrators arrested during an identity parade last Saturday in Romans. This gathering was banned because it “suggested ideological clashes,” according to the prefecture. In addition, any unauthorized gatherings or demonstrations in Valence and Romans-sur-Isère are prohibited for the weekend as well as the use and sale of fireworks mortars in the department.
A second demonstration is planned for Saturday in the center of Romans at the call of the inhabitants of the Cité de la Monnaie, a sensitive district of this city, on the theme of civil harmony and in reaction to public declarations by the mayor LR Marie- Hélène Thoraval. This undeclared demonstration is also prohibited, according to the prefecture.
Marie-Hélène Thoraval filed a complaint on Wednesday after receiving threats by telephone and on social networks, including one of death “by decapitation”. After Thomas’ death, she called for “awareness” on the part of the State regarding the situation in the country’s sensitive neighborhoods, and particularly in her city, evoking “a level of delinquency, the roots of which can be found in radicalization” or “drug trafficking”. His complaint and his comments were widely relayed on social networks by ultra-right activists.
The investigation into “organized gang murder” opened by the Valencia public prosecutor’s office after Thomas’ death resulted in the indictment of nine young people, including three minors. Photos with identities presented as those of the Crépol attackers were widely distributed by ultra-right accounts calling for revenge, particularly against the sensitive Monnaie district.