“You will not leave here alive”: a complaint could be filed in Rochefort after the demonstration against the majority agreement

Pseveral dozen demonstrators gathered on Monday afternoon in front of Rochefort town hall to protest against the majority agreement concluded between the MR-IC and Pour groups, respectively led by outgoing mayor Julien Defaux (MR ) and by the impeached mayor and current affairs minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS). Threats were made. A complaint could be filed, Julien Defaux said on Tuesday.

These demonstrators are supporters of the @venir list, led by Corine Mullens (MR), returned to the opposition even though her list came first in the elections with 8 seats, against 7 for MR-IC, 6 for For and 2 for Eco-friendly.

Police protection

During this demonstration, traffic was blocked and threats were made. “The general director of the municipality wanted to leave, he was grabbed. Municipal staff were verbally abused. Some demonstrators chanted “you will not get out of here alive”, others were armed with iron bars. Under pressure, one of the aldermen felt unwell while leaving the premises. We had to call the ambulance,” relates the outgoing mayor and future mayor, Julien Defaux. “Some demonstrators threatened to go to François Bellot (MR), to Pierre-Yves Dermagne and to me. Police officers therefore secured our homes but this is no longer relevant this Tuesday,” he adds.

A complaint could be filed. “It’s in reflection, we don’t want to let what happened go unpunished,” says Julien Defaux.

For her part, Corine Mullens, head of the @venir list, dissociates herself from these events. “I quickly learned this Monday that a symbolic gesture would be made around 2 p.m. in front of town hall but not like that. I have never condoned these violent or derogatory comments. The anger and disillusionment are so great for these people that they said things that should not have been said in this way. But I don’t know how to control all the citizens. I call on everyone to calm down because what happened does not help our cause. I want to remain dignified,” she concludes.

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