a banned gathering takes place peacefully in Romans-sur-Isère

Several dozen demonstrators brandished messages to call for solidarity and defend the La Monnaie district, the target of a raid by ultra-right groups.

They gathered after 1 p.m. in a square in the popular district of La Monnaie, in Romans-sur-Isère (Drôme). A few dozen people defied the prefecture’s ban on Saturday, December 2, and gathered in “solidarity with Thomas’ family”the young man killed on the sidelines of a ball in the Drôme, but also with the inhabitants of this district, who say they have been ostracized since the tragedy.

The investigation into “organized gang murder” opened by the Valencia public prosecutor’s office after the death of the teenager, who was at school in Romans, resulted in the indictment of nine young people, including three minors. Photos and identities presented as those of the Crépol attackers were widely distributed by ultra-right accounts calling for revenge, particularly against the sensitive district of La Monnaie.

Two demonstrations banned in Valencia

“United against those who divide” Or “No to fascist recovery”, proclaimed signs brandished by a few dozen demonstrators. Beyond the call for harmony, the demonstrators’ action was also in response to a violent gathering of ultra-right activists a week earlier.

Messages also targeted the mayor of Romans-sur-Isère, Marie-Hélène Thoraval, who had mentioned on BFMTV the “level of delinquency” from the La Monnaie district, “whose roots can be found in radicalization” where the “drug traffic”. “Mayor, we love you. Why don’t you?”questions in particular a banner photographed on Saturday by France Bleu.

On Thursday, the elected official announced that she had filed a complaint for death threats received by telephone. The prefecture indicated the next day that it had placed her under protection.

Two demonstrations planned for Saturday in Valence in connection with this tragedy, one at the call of the ultra-right, the other by anti-fascist organizations, were also banned by the Drôme prefecture “due to the risk of disturbances to public order” in a context of high tensions.