Paris Remembers Victims Of October 17, 1961, Recalls Macron Of The French Crimes In Algeria

Commemorative sit in by French and Algerians in Paris comes to remember the victims of the massacres of October 17, 1961, and to recall the French President, Emmanuel Macron, who promised but did not kept his word.

The sit in was attended by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, the Algerian ambassador to Paris, Abdelkader Messadoua, along with local French elected and some Algerians who witnessed the massacre, the families of the victims, historians and activists in the French civil society.

One of the most important things that came out of this sit in was the statement by Anne Hidalgo, in which she said: “Our history, including the tragedies, must be recognized and its facts so that we can progress together.” 

She also declared her commitment to the common history between Algeria and France, and the bloody events in Paris.

“It is important to recognize the historical truth to look to the future”, a message that can only be answered by her country’s president, Macron, who visited Algeria on February 2017 to affirm that “colonialism is part of the French history. It is a crime, a crime against humanity”.

Macron then referred to the French colonization of Algeria, which was on the necks of the Algerians for a century and 32 years, he said this phrase, which was welcomed by the Algerians in a formal and popular way, and was denounced by French right-wing extremist circles when he was a candidate for the French presidential elections.

However, when he ascended the Elysee Palace, he recoiled on his heels and did not keep his words.

Paris mayor was not the only French who was upset by the hypocrisy of the French politicians when it came to the crimes of the French army in Algeria. 

Another Frenchman, Henri Bouioti, expressed his regret that Paris had not recognized for its crimes in Algeria, saying: “Among the humanitarian crimes, there are war crimes that were committed by France in Algeria, which has not yet been recognized by anyone”.

Many neutral historians and moderate French politicians agree that the French army in Algeria committed crimes against humanity, just like the conviction that is declared by the candidate, Emmanuel Macron, before being “neglected” by Macron the President, which confirms that there are red lines that were drawn by the deep state in Paris, and that no official politician can violate.

The “deep state” in France is reflected in some influential lobbies in decision-making circles such as the French-Algerian circles, the remnants of Harkis, the Pieds Noirs and some of the remaining veterans of the colonial army who fear international justice if Paris will recognize its colonial crimes in Algeria.

These fears were exemplified by protests that were led by remnants of the French-Algerian circles in their stronghold in southern France, after Macron described the French colonialism as a “war crime and a crime against humanity”, forcing the “noble France” to amend the controversial statement of the Macron.