80 years ago, Jean Zay, Minister of the Popular Front, was assassinated for his Jewish origins, his left-wing values and his membership of the Freemasons. The importance of the duty to remember was recalled, Monday June 24, during the ceremony which paid tribute to him, in front of the monument commemorating his murder, between Cusset and Molles.
“I have peace of mind and peace of mind. I have no fear. » These words, written by Jean Zay two days before his assassination on June 20, 1944, were displayed, Monday June 24, on the stele which pays homage to him, a stone’s throw from the scene of the murder.
Between Cusset and Molles, a large number of participants, officials and ordinary citizens, were present to commemorate the work of this great man, who died at the age of 40. With speeches from officials, during this electoral period, which reflected a certain fear that history would repeat itself.Children from local schools sang the Marseillaise.
“France is not extremism”
“This dark period in our history demonstrated that Man was capable of the worst madness, and that this madness unfortunately did not end in 1945,” said Christophe Dumont, mayor of Molles, in a joint speech. to that of Jean-Sébastien Laloy, his Cusetois counterpart.
The latter recalled that “20% of those under 18 do not know what the Shoah is today. And another 20 percent have never even heard of it. Did Jean Zay give his life so that 80 years later, nothing remains of his sacrifice? France is not extremism, xenophobia, hatred of others. »
On the eve of a snap election […] let’s take the time to think about the consequences of our decisions.
Jean-Sébastien Laloy (Mayor of Cusset)
He also recalled that this assassination had been perpetrated not by Germans, but by French people from Pétain’s militia. Before urging the public to introspect, “on the eve of an early election. […] Let’s take the time to think about the consequences of our decisions. »
Near a young ginkgo, a symbol of peace planted this year next to the monument, Hélène Mouchard-Zay, daughter of Jean Zay, however concluded with words full of hope written by her father, in a letter dated June 19, 1944 addressed to his wife: “Fate has never said its last word. »
Sandrine Gras
Photos François-Xavier Gutton
