A first act of resistance in Clichy-la-Garenne? by Philippe Bilger

 

We can analyze this approach by elected officials as a first act of resistance against not an "invasion" but an illicit urban occupation, but also as the beginning of a cycle that could eventually become so intense, antagonistic and violent that it would be likely to lead to a civil war multiplied. Renaud Camus is wrong but we continue to veil our eyes and to show demagogic weakness, and I fear that one day we will sadly give him reason.

This comparison strikes me as shocking, offensive for its first term and absurd for the second. I would add that even if it had a semblance of likelihood, I would do my best to fight the risk of confusing today's France at peace with France defeated under the Nazi boot.

Nevertheless, a capital event occurred in Clichy-la-Garenne on November 10, around 13 p.m., near the town hall.

While the media sometimes make a point of being insignificant or superficial, I was struck by the extent to which this "first" in our political and social history has been little commented on, this breach in our aspiration to live together despite cultural and religious differences have been relatively overlooked.

Since March of this year, every Friday, hundreds of Muslims take to the streets demanding a place of worship. After the Union of Muslim Associations of Clichy (UAMC) was expelled from a place of worship in the city center by the former municipality on March 22, mediations were attempted, none of which succeeded. Mayor LR Rémi Muzeau has proposed a new place of prayer a quarter of an hour from the center. The president of the UAMC refused it, judging it “too small, too eccentric and unworthy”.

While Mohamed Bechari, president of this new worship and cultural center which he considers appropriate and suitable, and also leader of the National Federation of Muslims of France (FNMF), on the contrary thanks the mayor for the installation of signage and a bus stop (free) just in front of this place.

It is clear that the UAMC continues to test the patience and resistance of the municipality by allowing itself – for a long time – to install street prayers that it knows are prohibited.

For the first time, on November 10, at the initiative of Valérie Pécresse, some sixty elected officials from the Paris region, including the mayor, deliberately confronted, with their tricolor scarf slung over their shoulders and singing La Marseillaise, some 150 Muslims installing carpets and speakers on the sidewalk (Le Figaro).

This haunting and unbearable transgression, for its solution, of the State is left to the sole initiative and goodwill of the mayor of Clichy. Which comes up against a Muslim opposition in bad faith.

We can analyze this approach by elected officials as a first act of resistance against not an "invasion" but an illicit urban occupation, but also as the beginning of a cycle that could eventually become so intense, antagonistic and violent that it would be likely to lead to a proliferated civil war.

The opportune end of a passivity or the dangerous beginning of a revolt?

Renaud Camus is wrong, but if we continue to hide our eyes and show demagogic weakness, I fear that one day we will sadly prove him right.

Source: © Justice in the Singular: A first act of resistance in Clichy-la-Garenne?