Yesterday, the Garden of Memories at Bocage in Sainte-Suzanne hosted a tribute to Lucet Langenier on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the disappearance of the former mayor of Sainte-Suzanne. His successor, Maurice Gironcel, as well as Élie Hoarau, president of the PCR and Alexandre Lai-Kane-Chéong intervened to pay tribute to the deceased. Tribute was also paid to Paul Vergès, whose 100th anniversary of his birth will be celebrated next year during the Reunion March for Climate and Biodiversity. “His ideas have never been so new, young people are taking hold of them. We must continue to bring Paul Vergès’ thoughts to fruition,” declared Élie Hoarau, president of the PCR.
Maurice Gironcel recalled in the preamble the resignation of the deputies Paul Vergès and Elie Hoarau to protest against the law of social parity which enshrined in law the inferiority of the people of Reunion compared to other citizens of the Republic living in France. The mayor of Sainte-Suzanne called for the Bastille of unemployment to be brought down in Reunion, to fight so that children can have a quality education and live later with a decent job and salary.
Lucet Langenier died on June 30, 1993. Due to the early legislative elections, this tribute took place on June 26 in Sainte-Suzanne. The tribute at the tomb of the deceased at the Port will take place after the elections, said Maurice Gironcel.
“Kunta Kinté brought her back to the town hall”
He associated Elie Hoarau, president of the PCR, with the tribute, as well as Alexandre Lai-Kane-Chéong, municipal and community councilor. This presence illustrates the union of generations, he said.
Maurice Gironcel also paid tribute to Paul Vergès, founder of the PCR in 1959. In 1942, Paul and his brother Jacques embarked to fight with Free France and join the Resistance. Next year in 2025, during the 6th edition of the March for Climate and Biodiversity, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Paul Vergès will be celebrated.
Lucet Langenier was elected mayor in 1980. It was experienced as a deliverance for the people of Sainte-Suzanne: “Kunta Kinté brought her back to the town hall”. We continued the fight for the sustainable and united development of Sainte-Suzanne, said her successor at Town Hall, describing some achievements including the Garden of Memories.
Lucet Langenier was a defender of Reunionese identity. Upon his election, he erected a monument paying tribute to Edmond Albius. We continue the work so that Edmond Albius is recognized by UNESCO. The Marianne d’Or awarded to the commune of Sainte-Suzanne is recognition of this work.
We have a history based on slavery and indentured labor that the RN wants to erase, continued Maurice Gironcel. “Coming together for the future must be our goal,” he said.
Bring together the Territorial Conference extended to the active forces
Lucet Langenier had registered his fight in that of Paul Vergès, Léon Lépervanche and Raymond Vergès. Next year will be the 80th anniversary of the election as deputies of Léon Lépervanche and Raymond Vergès of the CRADS. Thanks to their commitment, they had the law of March 19, 1946 passed, which abolished the colonial system.
“Despite the considerable progress made, the global crisis provokes anger and concern. Collectively we must act for hope,” added Maurice Gironcel.
If these legislative elections make it possible to initiate a process for the transformation of society, then we will assume our responsibilities. “To anticipate this stage, the Territorial Conference extended to the active forces must meet urgently to co-write a Reunion project.
This is so that the era of responsibility and trust can finally begin,” added Maurice Gironcel before concluding: “As Lucet Langenier said, the fight continues.”
Alexandre Lai-Kane-Chéong heard about Lucet Langenier through the stories of his grandparents. They told him about the actions carried out in Sainte-Suzanne but also at the Port. It was a tradition of struggle, the councilman said. He recalled that the communist leaders were committed to the workers’ struggle and literacy. Lucet Langenier was black and was a professor, at the time it was a guarantee of emancipation, explained Alexandre Lai-Kane-Chéong. The fights for “departmentalization” and social equality are written in the stone of history, he says, any questioning is revisionism.
“Bringing the thoughts of Paul Vergès to life”
Élie Hoarau, president of the PCR recalled that “Lucet was a rebel against the colonial order”. He started very young on the cultural level in a group singing the values of reunionism. He moved on to the political stage. He campaigned in the FJAR then in the PCR. Everyone recognizes the work carried out as a political leader.
“Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of Paul Vergès. His ideas have never been so new, young people are seizing on them. We must continue to make Paul Vergès’ thinking bear fruit, particularly on climate change,” said the PCR president. “This climate change is created by human activities. Fundamentally, the cause is the way we produce and consume. It is the capitalist system that considers that we must not satisfy the needs of the population in order to make profits, even if it means exploiting the populations and the wealth of the Earth,” he continued, “the planet is not in danger, it will continue to revolve around the Sun. What is in danger is life on the planet, we are concerned.”
Paul Vergès’ message was as follows: “the threats to life are such that we must react by seeking the fundamental cause of this calling into question life on the planet.”
“The best tribute to his thinking is to continue fighting to save life on the planet. It’s up to us to take over and bring Paul Vergès’ thoughts to life,” concludes the president of the PCR.
The three speakers then laid a wreath of flowers in front of the monument honoring the memory of Lucet Langenier.
M.M.
Photo Kalouma.
Photo Kalouma.
