racist leaflets distributed in letterboxes in a town in Yvelines

Residents of this commune in Yvelines have found racist leaflets on their cars or in their mailboxes. According to SOS Racisme, these acts have been increasing since the legislative elections.

Since the announcement of the dissolution of the National Assembly and the potential arrival of the extreme right in power, racist words and other acts seem to be increasing. This is a phenomenon that is difficult to quantify, but several incidents, sometimes particularly violent, have been reported across France. For example, in Chatou, in the Paris region: dozens of leaflets against black people were distributed in mailboxes last month, but no arrests have been made at this stage.

It is a peaceful neighborhood of Chatou, in the Yvelines: a few blocks of flats, houses, hundreds of mailboxes. Two weeks ago, residents discovered leaflets presenting themselves as “environmentalists” with the mention “Stop the blacks in Chatou” in capital letters. This resident of the neighborhood, of Beninese origin, lets out a long sigh. “It surprised me because I really like the city of Chatou. We are also rejected here, but who chose the color of their skin?”

The same indignation for Marie, a resident of Chatou. “This is the first time we’ve had this kind of reaction, it shocks me deeply.” Now she is worried. “To be attacked or insulted, because these elections make some people feel less self-conscious. It’s damaging.”

The mayor of the town has announced that he will file a complaint, in addition to three complaints already filed by residents.

This incident is not an isolated case in recent weeks: a bakery set on fire in Avignon with racist graffiti directed at an Ivorian apprentice, a black nursing assistant attacked in Loiret, in front of the cameras of the show Correspondent. “We do what we want in France. Go to the doghouse,” his neighbor had thrown at him.

For Dominique Sopo, president of SOS Racisme, there is a direct link between these discriminatory acts and the legislative election campaign. “What we notice, through our legal services, is that there is a clear increase in racist acts and remarkshe explains. Unfortunately, the National Rally has succeeded in sharing an image of the scapegoat which can only lead to violence against the groups that are targeted.” He acknowledges that the phenomenon remains difficult to quantify: at this stage there is no official count of these incidents.