March Nous Tous in Valenciennes: “We are the voice of those who no longer have one”

Saturday 16th November 2024 03:31 PM

« November is a big month of mobilization for all of usrecalls Émilie Van Ryckeghem, the president of the local collective. In Valenciennes, we chose November 16 for the big march, so as not to compete with the Lille demonstration on the 23rd. » The call was well followed on Saturday afternoon, since'around a hundred people were there, Place Verte, behind the museum. A figure below 2023, but the troop is still as colorful and motivated: men, women, families, political representatives – we recognized the Valencian elected officials Quentin Omont (EELV), Luce Troadec (ex-LFI) and Nathalie Lorette (PCF). All sporting a touch of purple, as a sign of rallying.

She left her husband after “thirty years of physical and psychological violence”

In the procession, many bruised women. So Nathalie, 52 years old, from Brunemont (near Arleux), had tears still coming, when she remembered that day when she left her husband, and “ thirty years of physical and especially psychological violence ». « It was December 23, the tree was done, I told him I wanted a divorceshe says.He told me he was going to burn me with acid! It was my son who pushed me to the police station. In the evening, I found myself at her mother-in-law's house whom I barely knew, I stayed there for two weeks… » Her husband was sentenced to eight months in prison in July 2022, then released on appeal on February 14, 2023. She expressed her anger this Saturday on her sign. “ We are the voice of those who no longer have one ”, we can read on another box…

Dozens of signs with strong messages each time. – PHOTO PIERRE ROUANET

The collective also called for more resources to fight against violence against children. – PHOTO PIERRE ROUANET

“We are Gisèle”, we could read here. – PHOTO PIERRE ROUANET

This truck would serve as a mobile platform during the demonstration. – PHOTO PIERRE ROUANET

Purple, the rallying color for the All of Us collective. – PHOTO PIERRE ROUANET

Families too

« Yes it’s comforting, this gatheringobserves her “demonstration sister”, Valencienoise Molly, but it’s also sad to see how many of us have suffered violence… » Not everyone in the procession is a victim, that said. Thus, Pierre and Fanny, who came from Jenlain with their teenagers aged 11 and 15: “ We work in the medico-social sector, this is the second time we have participated in the walk. We want to raise awareness among our children about violence, and for them to become, why not, spokespersons among their peers. ».