emotion ran high during the rally in tribute to Charlie Hebdo

To pay tribute to those killed during the Charlie Hebdo attack, a gathering was organized this Tuesday, January 7, on the Place des Droits de l'Homme, in Besançon. The emotion was strong. The Bisontins present were marked by this tragedy. They remain “Charlie” more than ever, ten years later.

“We no longer have any in stock, we sold everything”. At the press house in Besançon, a little before noon, there were no more copies of the new Charlie Hebdo, released that same morning. The special issue, for the tenth anniversary of the attack, which killed twelve people on January 7, 2015, was a great success. “There was great enthusiasm, there were regulars but also people who buy it more occasionally,” declared one of the sellers.

A few steps from the business, the Human Rights esplanade is gradually filling up. Young people, retirees, elected officials, approach the desk installed under an arbor, in front of the statue of Victor Hugo, already decorated with a few pencils placed there. “We have subscribed to Charlie for over 30 years, it was obvious to come. 10 years ago, we experienced this horror in a state of astonishment. We cried a lot. It even still makes us cry, you see”tell two retirees, Christian and Sophie, tears streaming down their cheeks. “I’ve been buying Charlie since I was 15, I’m going to be 70 this year”confides Françoise, with a lot of emotion in her eyes. “I am here because II have the impression that the fight for secularism is diminishing more and more. Before, we used to say “I am Charlie”now we say “I'm Charlie but”. And this “more” hurts me”.

A little further on, Maël remembers that terrible Wednesday in January, he was only eight years old: “I was young at the time but I heard from my parents who explained it to me. At school, we had awareness, it was quite special because we didn't know the terrorism, and fortunately, and we just discovered it, it was terrible”. It was obvious for him to come this Tuesday: “It is essential to be there so that freedom of expression continues in France. Above all, we young people, it is our role to be there because it is our future that is at stake”.

Around 12:15 p.m., the deputy mayor, Abdel Ghezali speaks in place of the voiceless mayor: “Secularism is not an opinion, it is the freedom to have one. Freedom of opinion and expression is one of the first freedoms.”he declares. “Freedom of expression goes hand in hand with freedom of the press (…). Everyone has the right to express their thoughts, their ideas, their beliefs, they must also have the right to be informed and to be able to disseminate information”. “Because we are still Charlie, we must continue the fight for tolerance, peace and freedom.” concludes the deputy mayor. A minute of silence is then observed, then the Marseillaise sounds.

For Christian and Sophie, Charlie, “it’s freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the right to blasphemy, the right to say everything, to mess around, to make fun of everyone without malice”. “We didn't know them personally, but they were like friends, in ten years, we will still be there to support them”. According to Françoise, the newspaper is a symbol: “It’s irreverence, it’s tolerance, it’s luminous, it’s joyful, there are things that I don’t agree with but it’s essential to support them”.

The gathering ends with a time of contemplation, some place flowers, others candles, to remember those who lost their lives, because they were doing their job, that of press cartoonist, journalist or journalist. policeman.