Hélène Arnaud-Bill calls to "stand united around institutions"
Following recent violence, the mayor of La Garde, Hélène Arnaud-Bill, called for unity at a republican rally.
Responding to the call from the Association des maires de France and the maires du Var, numerous elected officials and citizens gathered on Monday, October 19, in front of the Hôtel de Ville.
Hélène Arnaud-Bill, the mayor, called for national unity in the face of the scenes of chaos that marked the country, emphasizing the need to protect the values and institutions of the Republic. Evoking images that "have deeply shaken us all", the official recalled the scenes of devastation: the Hôtel de Ville of Limoges set on fire, the prefectural residence of Bordeaux ransacked, the mairie of Marseille attacked.
Beyond institutional symbols, the mayor highlighted the human and economic drama represented by looted shops and devastated schools in Paris and numerous other cities. Mrs. Arnaud-Bill notably shared the poignant example of a shopkeeper whose bakery, freshly renovated after months of effort, was destroyed in a matter of seconds.
Behind every building, there are lives, jobs, a history. There is our heritage and services that belong to everyone. A town hall is the common house. Seeing it burn affects us all, wherever we live, whatever our convictions.
Distinguishing legitimate protest from illegitimate violence
For the mayor, no conflation should be made between these acts of violence and peaceful protest movements: "Demonstrating, expressing anger, defending one's purchasing power are fundamental rights."
But no claim justifies destroying, looting, or attacking. These acts add suffering to the difficulties our fellow citizens are already experiencing.
On behalf of her municipality, the elected official sent a message of solidarity "to the victims, shopkeepers, staff, and elected officials of the affected cities", notably mentioning her colleagues in Limoges, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Toulon.
Tribute to law enforcement and emergency services
A tribute was paid to law enforcement and emergency services.
I want to express our gratitude to the police officers, gendarmes, firefighters, and public servants deployed. On the ground, these women and men faced violence to protect people and property, sometimes at the risk of their own safety. Their commitment deserves our respect and support.
Republican unity as the only response
Faced with this crisis, the speech hammered home a central message: the need for unity and the firmness of justice. Demanding that responsibilities be established and that perpetrators answer for their actions, the mayor concluded with a call to unite.
When our town halls burn and those who protect us are attacked, our responsibility is to stand united around our institutions and our freedoms.
The gathering ended with a moment of silence, followed by La Marseillaise sung by the assembly.
Photo PRESSE AGENCE.