He will go on stage this Monday evening in Paris, at the Théâtre de l'Atelier, for the Pics d'or ceremony, organized by the Abbé Pierre Foundation and which rewards the worst anti-homeless measures. Alongside five other actors, authors or humorists, including Blanche Gardin, Amelle Chahbi and Christian Page, Guillaume Meurice will award the “Bouge de là” prize, which rewards the worst (or the best, depending on your point of view) arrested municipal anti-begging.
20 Minutes took the opportunity for a few short questions to someone who is more accustomed to dishing out barbs to politicians, for a long time on France Inter and today at the microphone of Radio Nova. A short interview carried out by written questions and answers, perhaps written from a bench in Paris where he “likes [s]sit and watch people go by, let [s] we wander, thinking back to this sentence from Emmanuel Macron in 2017: “The first battle is to house everyone with dignity. I no longer want, by the end of the year, to have wives and men in the streets, in the woods or lost.” »
Why commit to the Pics d’Or?
Because the more time passes, the more we have the impression that the hunt for the poor is becoming a national sport. The next step is surely registering for the Olympic Games. And we have a good chance of medals.
What does this street furniture say about our society?
He says who we tolerate in public spaces and who we want to see disappear. Because those left behind remind people of their incompetence, every day, and the bankruptcy of the system they defend. To summarize, our economic structure leaves more and more people on the side of the road. But we don't even tolerate people staying there anymore.
What can humor do to denounce the cynicism of those in power at work with this furniture?
I don't think there is only one right way, but humor can undoubtedly contribute to awareness. Particularly in the case of anti-homeless furniture which is a subject little known to the general public. And then “it’s the politeness of desperation, damn it,” as Boris Vian said when he was angry.
When did you notice that a lot of things were being done to drive people out of the street itself?
Trying to sit down somewhere to share a moment with friends. Between the benches with large bars in the middle, the peaks, the flower boxes, the slippery edges, etc., you had to have won “Koh-Lanta” three times to have the right to land.
Which invention – if we can say that – shocked/surprised you the most with its ugly ingenuity?
All. What questions me the most are the people who are supposed to think about this type of device. “Michel today I would like you to work on the project to annoy as many homeless people as possible! » What do these people do when they return home? How do they answer their children's questions? “You see Blueberry, today your dad tried to develop a system to electrocute the scrotum of tramps. »
Conversely, can you imagine/describe a type of street furniture that would be “homeless friendly”?
The only “homeless friendly” street furniture will be a ram bench which would allow the doors of tens of thousands of empty homes to be broken down to shelter people.
