On the night of May 3 to 4, 2024, racist tags and symbols were made on the facade of Radio BIP, an independent media outlet based in Besançon, in reference to the death of young Matisse, stabbed in Châteauroux at the end of April. A week after the events, management denounced a worrying climate of hatred.
“Fuck antifascist, justice for Matisse”. Five words in a blood red color, drawn with a spray gun. Next to this sentence, another tag: that of a Celtic cross, a symbol taken up by far-right groups. Saturday May 4 in the morning, this is what the employees of Radio BIP, a local media station established in Besançon for 25 years, discovered on the facade of their premises.
“It happened on the night of May 3 to 4” explains Dominique Goetz, radio station director. “This is clearly a racist and fascist gesture, carried out by far-right individuals who are being disturbed by our editorial line based on human rights.“.
The independent media is unfortunately accustomed to these racist attacks. For several years, Radio BIP has regularly been the victim of these actions. “We’ve already had swastika tags, broken editorial tiles, racist stickers.” adds Dominique Goetz. “And the threats from the extreme right, we no longer count them. But here, we are on an action linked to current events“.
This news is the death of young Matisse, 15, stabbed in Châteauroux at the end of April after an altercation with another teenager. A young person of the same age and his mother were indicted. They are both of Afghan nationality and legally resident in France. Alongside the tribute ceremonies and white marches, this sad news item was taken up by small far-right groups.
The last tags are part of the instrumentalization of Matisse’s death. Every time we have a sad news story of this kind, we see an increase in these acts. They are getting stronger and stronger, that is what is worrying.
Dominique Goetz,antenna director of Radio BIP
“This act ironically coincides with Press Freedom Day” indicates Radio BIP in a press release. “This reinforces our objective of providing responsible and balanced information on crucial human rights issues.“.
In response, the media received a lot of support, such as that of the Reporters Without Borders association, the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) and the Anti-Fascist Vigilance Committee of Besançon (CVAB).
The goal of these neo-Nazis is to prevent the freedom to inform and express oneself, while spreading hatred. It is the demonstration of the intentions of their authors: to govern through intimidation and threats, without any respect for individual and collective freedoms.
Besançon Anti-Fascist Vigilance Committee
Reactions thatstrengthen our determination to continue our work” continues Dominique Goetz. “We are more united than ever, even if it becomes complicated to practice our profession with the global climate that surrounds our society“.
Radio BIP filed a pre-complaint online with the police on May 4 for “fascist damage”. “We would like the authorities to act after all his attacks and intimidations” denounces the antenna director. “We have the impression of not being taken seriously and of not being protected. Are we going to wait for a tragedy to react?“
► ALSO READ: Murder of Matisse. Racist tags on the facade of a migrant aid association: “No to immigration”, “accomplice association”
As a reminder, other acts of this type, linked to the death of Matisse, have been reported in France. In Montpellier (Hérault), racist tags were found on the facade of an association helping migrants: “No to immigration“, “accomplice association“.
