The general assembly of the Maison de la vie associative d'Arles took place on Monday, December 2 in a tense atmosphere.
After the vote on the moral assessment, adopted by 71 votes for, 26 votes against and 20 abstentions in a packed room which seemed divided in two, came the turn of the financial assessment presented by the accountant. Several people in the room then asked for documents to be projected or distributed. When questioned, it was ultimately Mandy Graillon, deputy to the municipality, who asked that the vote be postponed so that the entire room had time to read the documents printed, then hastily re-printed… after those from the previous year were distributed in error.
The fate of the LDH sealed on December 9
If there were so many people at this general meeting, it is also because the election of six positions within the board of directors was on the agenda. Three outgoing members stood for reelection and were re-elected. Three places were also available, the board of directors being composed of only 18 people, compared to 21 maximum. Several people present denounced the refusal of Alain Othnin-Girard's candidacy for the LDH, due to the conflict between the association to which he belongs and the MDVA. The new elected candidates are: Charles Kachelmann (Arelate), Jean Krippeler (Friendship of veterans and victims of war) and Philippe Vial (Souvenir français). When the results of the vote were announced, disappointment could be seen on the faces of the members of the associations opposed to the management of Danielle Valette and the current board of directors.
The concern is all the greater as the new board of directors must decide on December 9 the fate of the LDH. While legal proceedings on the merits* are also underway between the two parties, someone questioned Danielle Valette about the possibility of mediation in order to resolve the conflict. The latter said to herself “very happy“of this proposition, ensuring having”immediately“received a referral to court.”We waited all summer to get a response from you. There would never have been this legal case if you had agreed to respond to us and meet with us. We wrote an open letter, tried to speak with you, it was impossible“, then retorted Marguerite Pozzoli, president of the LDH, silent until then. “We hope for mediation with all our hearts. We were distraught, surprised and very unhappy because we experienced this house as our home, we were very comfortable there. We are no one's enemies. Let us try to ensure that associative life remains what it is, an essential cog in democratic life.”
The president of the MDVA justifies her summer silence by indicating that the request had been submitted in July, and that there was no CA before September. After several minutes of debate with people present in the room, Danielle Valette ultimately did not close the door to mediation, but on a few conditions. “We need to have a positive sign from other lawyers, and in this case, why not. I will still take the advice of my lawyer.“She also proposed to Marguerite Pozzoli a face-to-face meeting. After more than two hours of AGM marked by this conflict, the founder of the MDVA urged all members present to be careful not to “especially not damage the tool.“
Associations denounce censorship
Several member associations have been reporting refusals to loan rooms or print flyers by the MDVA for several months. The Human Rights League, in partnership with ATTAC, wanted to reserve a room to organize the screening of the film “Béziers, behind the scenes”. After a meeting with the board of directors, the MDVA refused the request on September 9 on the grounds that the subject was political and therefore contrary to its internal regulations. The Le 38'Art association, which manages the L'Angerie third-party venue, was also refused several prints for the same reason.
Many associations denounce the new internal regulations which prohibit any activity of a commercial, religious, union and political nature in the premises of the MDVA. The meaning of the word politics is subject to debate.
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