March of support for the resigning mayor of Saint-Brevin: “It’s a solemn moment” – Reception of refugees: threatened, the mayor of Saint-Brevin leaves

“The Republic in Danger”. It is behind these strong words inscribed on a large tricolor banner, that more than 2,000 people marched in the city center of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (44), this Wednesday at the end of the afternoon. The purpose of this rally was to support the resigning mayor of the town, Yannick Morez, and, more broadly, to denounce all the violence against elected officials. Yannick Morez left office following the arson attack on his home. He was the target of pressure from the far right, which is protesting against the move, near a school, of the reception center for asylum seekers.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, Marine Tondelier…

Among ordinary citizens and community activists, many elected officials, mainly from left-wing political parties, took part in this march launched on the initiative of the Socialist Party, by the voice of the mayor of Nantes, Johanna Rolland.

Within this provided procession, there were several national political leaders like Jean-Luc Mélenchon and François Ruffin (LFI), Olivier Faure (PS), Marine Tondelier and Sandrine Rousseau (EELV). Tricolor scarf on the shoulders, many local Breton elected officials were also present in the ranks of this demonstration such as, for example, the mayor of Callac (22). Jean-Yves Rolland made the trip, near the Loire estuary, to support Yannick Morez. “I understand his situation and his decision because we ourselves have been harassed by the far right. It’s important to get involved.”

When a mayor is attacked, in reality, the whole Republic recoils.

The mayor of Nantes first spoke, from Place Henri Basle. “It is a solemn moment, a serious moment. When a mayor is attacked, in reality, the whole Republic recoils. It is our democracy that is threatened, ”said Johanna Rolland. The city councilor also pointed the finger at the far right, and demanded justice. Pascal Brice, president of the Federation of Solidarity Actors, also took the microphone to recall that “the reception of foreigners must be done with dignity and public tranquility. »

The resigning mayor denounces the “political recovery”

The procession then took the direction of the town hall, about 400 meters away. On the steps of the town hall, Yannick Morez, the resigning mayor, spoke at 6 p.m. in front of the crowd, surrounded by his entire municipal council. He thanked everyone present.

He, however, clarified that he had not participated in this march “to denounce the political recovery, in particular by the far left, of this moment which was intended to be transpartisan”. And he regretted “the discretion of the right on this theme. The man said he was relieved to have spoken to the law commission, then to Matignon, to warn of the fate of elected officials who were victims of violence like him. A Marseillaise sung in unison by Yannick Morez, the city council and all the demonstrators concluded this evening of mobilization in a calm atmosphere.