By banning the annual march in memory of Adama Traoré in Persan-Beaumont (Val-d’Oise), the prefecture is throwing “fuel on the fire”, says his sister, Assa, who has filed an appeal with the administrative court against the decision.
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“I hope the court makes the best decision. It is a memorial, precious and necessary gathering for the whole family“, reacted Friday July 7 on franceinfo Assa Traoré, the sister of Adama Traoré who died during an arrest in 2016. She filed an appeal with the administrative court against the ban by the prefecture of the annual march for Adama Traoré planned Saturday in Persan-Beaumont in the Val-d’Oise. She accuses the prefecture of “add fuel to the fire” and of “give in to panic“.
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franceinfo: What will you do if the ban on the march for Adama is maintained?
Assa Traore : I am not deciding yet until we have the decision of the court, I am waiting and I hope that the court will take the best decision. It is a memorial, precious and necessary gathering for the whole family. Today the fight led in the name of Adama is the fight of civil society which defends equality and calls for an end to police impunity.
“We’ve been walking for 7 years and the prefecture has always been satisfied with the way we manage the event.”
Assa Traoreat franceinfo
You do not understand this decision of the prefecture?
Why ban it today, because in this current context which has upset France, the Adama march is all the more awaited, because it allows demonstrators to express themselves collectively in a framed way. Democracy guarantees rights and freedoms for all and when the prefecture takes this responsibility, it is to throw oil on the fire, it is to give in to panic. For me, it is important that this march be maintained. We want to walk in unity, in equality.
You do not fear incidents if the demonstration takes place in view of what has happened in recent days?
Of course it will always go well. We had the same problem at the time of the “yellow vests” when they wanted to ban us and the march went very well. We don’t even have police officers and gendarmes accompanying this demonstration. We have artists who come to meet young people. There are children who come to walk with their families. At the end of this walk there are inflatable games for children. There will be no incidents.
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Did the mother of Nahel killed by the shooting of a policeman in Nanterre last Tuesday plan to join you?
I find that the positioning of the prefecture concerning the arrival of Nahel’s mother is completely out of place. Nahel’s mother is not plague-stricken. She’s not guilty of anything. Her son is dead and she is asked to stay locked up at home. I don’t know if she’ll come on Saturday or not, but it’s her choice. This mother is a victim who lost her son and today something very negative is being sent back to her. It’s inhuman and inappropriate. She has the right to be there like any family. I don’t see how that would be a subject and a problem. It’s a total lack of respect.