A rally took place on Sunday to demand that the name of the rue du 6e district paying tribute to the man who was a figure in the colonization of Algeria by France in the 19th centurye century be removed. A possibility already considered by the environmentalist town hall.
Rue Bugeaud du 6e Will the Lyon district experience the same fate as its big Parisian sister? In any case, around thirty people gathered on Sunday October 17 in front of the plaques paying tribute to the marshal known for his bloody role in the colonization of Algeria, in order to ask for his “rebaptization”. An online petition, signed by 32 people to date, was addressed to Grégory Doucet (EELV), the mayor of the city.
“We also ask you, Mr. Mayor, to rename rue Bugeaud (…) and rename it Rue du 17 October 1961”specifies the written request from Abdelaziz Boumedienne, association manager of Rillieux-la-Pape. This date refers to the repression carried out under the authority of police prefect Maurice Papon of a pacifist FLN demonstration in Paris in which 30 to 200 people died.
What is Bugeaud named after?
Engaged in the Napoleonic conquests, Thomas Robert Bugeaud returned to the French army under the July Monarchy. Sent to Algeria to crush local resistance, he became governor general. Its role in the colonization of this territory is today denounced as a symbol of French imperialism. The massacres committed under his leadership during the burning of the Dhara cave in particular were criticized at the time of the events.
Nearly two centuries later, Sibeth Ndiaye, then government spokesperson, opened the door in 2020 to the “renaming” of Avenue Bugeaud in Paris. A proposal materialized last week, at the request of Anne Hidalgo (PS). The old plaques in the name of Marshal Bugeaud will be kept at the Carnavalet museum, which traces the history of the capital.
“Legitimate” request for environmentalists
In Lyon, the mayor of 1is district, Yasmine Bouagga (EELV) recalled the existence of several street names, gardens and statues paying tribute to figures from the colonization of Algeria. She notably proposed the installation of an explanatory plaque under the statue of Sergeant Blandan, located at Place Sathonay. An idea welcomed by the deputy responsible for memorial issues, Sylvie Tomic (EELV).
The latter specified that it had received several requests for “renaming”. She called for parsimonious use of this possibility. But judged the request “legitimate” concerning rue Bugeaud, specifying his intention to contact the mayor of 6e district, Pascal Blache (LR), on this issue.
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To deal with these requests, Sylvie Tomic specified that the city will set up a dedicated body during the first half of 2025. The round table must include academics and allow a general reflection, on the substance and form, of the future decisions. Recently, the town hall announced the “renaming” of the place to Abbé Pierre (originally from Lyon) after the revelations of accusations of sexual violence against the founder of Emmaüs.
