Nearly 120 people responded to the call to mobilize this Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Laval, launched by the citizen collective for peace in Palestine. This is double the number of participants compared to the previous gathering, on April 6.
Talking about “serious things in music”
The CGT, Force Ouvrière, FSU and Solidaires de la Mayenne trade union organizations have joined the ranks. “We have been alongside the collective for peace since October 24, recalls Sébastien Lardeux, secretary general of the departmental union Force Ouvrière 53. And we are present very regularly at the readings. » Every week, members of the collective read texts received from Palestine and call for a ceasefire.
Texts were read again on Place Jean-Moulin, in front of the prefecture, where the procession of demonstrators gathered. “We lack young people, notes Ahmed, musician and member of the collective. The demonstrators have an average age of fifty. I have the impression that young people don’t care. They are interested when we play a little music. But the readings… We can talk about serious things in music. »
It’s okay to protest”
“No revolution without spectacle, supports Anna, a 21-year-old student. To reach as many people as possible, you need to increase the number of channels. It’s okay to protest. I already did it with my parents in a stroller. I’m not about to stop. »
However, how can we hope to influence the war launched by Israel from Laval? “With our local elected officials, assures Ahmed. They can act on the sale of arms by the French state. »
“There is a real political and media charge to silence the mobilizations for peace in Palestine, denounces Sébastien Lardeux. But we will continue to alert people. With 30,000 deaths in the Gaza Strip, it is the equivalent of the population of Mayenne, Château-Gontier and the surrounding villages. All this in indifference. This can’t last. »
