Very strong emotion in the city center of Châteauroux (Indre), where around 5,000 people gathered this Saturday for a white march in tribute to Matisse, 15, stabbed to death by another teenager, according to theAFP. At the head of the procession, his parents stood silently behind a banner bearing the image of their son.
Among the many people present, elected officials, carrying white or pink roses. Some people wore t-shirts with otters, a reference to Matisse’s nickname given by his father Christophe Marchais. The businesses were almost all closed and many had a photo of the teenager or an otter in their window.
Restaurateurs particularly mobilized
Matisse was an apprentice cook at the CFA de l’Indre and his father owns a restaurant. The need to do ” something “ has become essential for catering professionals in Châteauroux, explains Delphine Chambonneau, owner of the Albert Coffee shop, located in the city center. “We all know each other. We all have a connection with this family”she said, while a t-shirt with the words “restaurateurs and cafe owners united in pain / Rest in peace Matisse” was made. The day of Sunday April 28, the day after the tragedy, was particularly difficult, she said. “All the customers were starting to cry. »
Despite the call from Matisse’s father in particular to guard against any political exploitation, Friday evening, a small ultra-right group displayed banners in front of the town hall: “Justice for Matisse”, “French Awake”. According to the prefect of Indre, Thibault Lanxade, the operation was ” very fast “. “There were around ten of them. They unfurled their banners and left. »
CRS reinforcements
To avoid any excess during the tribute, the prefecture decided to “reinforcement of a CRS company” alongside the gendarmes and police officers of the department, the holding of “checks on motorway exits and entrances to the Châteauroux urban area”where far-right activists are expected.
The teenager died from his injuries on April 27, after several stab wounds during a brawl in the Saint-Denis district, according to the Bourges public prosecutor.
A suspect was indicted Monday evening for “murder” and placed in pre-trial detention, and his mother, aged 37 and suspected of having “slapped the victim” injured, was indicted for “intentional violence” against “vulnerable person”.
