Demonstrators and Entities Advocate for a Protest Against the "Advancement of Islamophobia" this Sunday
Let's Stir Up Some Change in Paris
Get ready, folks! A mass gathering is scheduled for May 11 in the city of love, Paris, called by various organizations and personalities to stand against the surge of Islamophobia in France. The event's aim is also to honor the memory of Aboubakar Cissé, a young man tragically killed in a mosque in the Gard department on April 25. The prime suspect in the case was taken into custody on Friday, charged with "murder motivated by race or religion."
It's time to wake the hell up, said Amal Bentounsi, one of the organizers behind the gathering. Starting at 2 pm, the rally will kick off from the Place de la Bastille. Bentounsi, who founded the collective Urgence notre police assassine, accuses "political representatives" of denying the increasing hate crimes against the Muslim community.
What's the Hubbub About "Islamophobia"?
Yassine Benyettou, national secretary of the RED Jeunes collective and co-organizer, expresses his concern about a growing sense of fear within France's Muslim community. He attributes this fear to the “unchecked speech” of parts of the political class, which Benyettou asserts contributes to a toxic anti-Muslim climate in the country, putting a portion of the nation's safety at risk.
United We Stand
The organizers appeal to all political, religious, and civil society groups to join forces in the battle against anti-Muslim racism. Sofia Tizaoui, union representative of the Union syndicale lycéenne, echoes the call, emphasizing it is every citizen’s responsibility to protect Muslims in France against the "normalization" of Islamophobia. Tizaoui encourages the entire French population to attend, not just Muslims. Personalities and groups of other faiths, like Tsedek and rabbi Gabriel Hagai, have endorsed the call to action.
Mathilde Panot, president of the LFI group in the National Assembly, confirmed that the "insubordinates" (the opposition) would join the march on Sunday, stating, "We're obviously mobilized since Islamophobia kills." Other names from diverse backgrounds, such as authors like Annie Ernaux, actresses like Adèle Haenel, and comedians like Waly Dia, have also put their names on a petition published in the magazine Politis (New window) advocating for the demonstration on Sunday.
- Amal Bentounsi, one of the organizers, urged everyone to wake up and join the mass gathering scheduled for May 11 in Paris against the growing Islamophobia in France.
- Yassine Benyettou, a co-organizer, expressed concern about the fear within France's Muslim community, blaming parts of the political class for their unchecked speech that contributes to anti-Muslim sentiments.
- Organizers are calling on all political, religious, and civil society groups to join forces in the battle against anti-Muslim racism, emphasizing it's every citizen's responsibility to protect Muslims in France.
- Sunday's march will see involvement from the opposition, as Mathilde Panot, president of the LFI group in the National Assembly, confirmed they would participate.
- Famous figures from diverse backgrounds, such as authors, actresses, and comedians, have also advocated for the demonstration on May 11, publishing their support in the magazine Politics.
