Initially almost silent, thunderous applause filled the roundabout where the ceremony honoring Mehdi Kessaci was held this Saturday, November 22. Then, at the call of the family, a crowd of hands went up, several times, asking “Justice for Mehdi”, And “more equality, less crime”. The voices and faces – the gathering attended by 6,200 people according to the prefecture – all point to the spot where the younger brother of environmental activist Amine Kessaci was murdered on November 13.
Around the flowers left throughout the week, relatives and dignitaries formed a body around Amine Kessaci, who surrounded her mother, dressed all in white and with bouquets of flowers in her hands. His expected statement was delivered via a recorded message – under police protection for several months, his presence at the meeting was only confirmed at the last moment.
“Remember his name, repeat his name a thousand times, so that he does not fall into this second death of oblivion,” said Amine Kessaci, before calling for people to stand: “For our neighborhood, for our families, stand up! Stand up! Stand up!” “Of course, we need police officers and security officers, but we also need social justice, commitment from the State and society, support for associations that do work every day with very few resources,” he added.
His mother, Ouassila, who also lost her son Brahim five years ago, killed in a drug attack, then spoke at the microphone, routinely supported by thunderous applause from the public. “My heart is torn, I am inconsolable, no mother wants to see her children die before her,” he whispered, paying his respects to his son “very sweet”. “I ask the government to pay attention to everything that is happening. This must stop!”
In addition to the mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan (various left), local elected officials and president of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, many political figures were present, including party leaders Marine Tondelier and Olivier Faure, as well as deputies François Ruffin (Debout!), Boris Vallaud (PS) and Manuel Bompard (LFI). Some wore tricolor scarves.
The crowd was covered in white scarves and hats. Her emotions could be read in Juliette’s misty, 52-year-old eyes. “very touched” with the death of Mehdi Kessaci. “Leaving an abandoned environment, this is what happens.” angered this professional coach who lives in the center of Marseille. Coming to this tribute event was for him “clear facts”, to also show his 13-year-old stepdaughter, who was standing next to him, “Do not be afraid”.
“I’m afraid the person who killed him will come back here,” said the female student in the black jacket, who sought reassurance from the world around her. “Let them also stop talking to us about Mexicanization, about the mafia, continued Thomas, his father. “The worst off is the whole community, that’s what we need to question, this drug consumption.”
Furthermore, Issam, 12, holds the arm of his mother Basma, 52, who wipes her tears. He had come from l’Estaque, far north of the city, with his last three men. “When I woke up this morning, I told myself that I wanted them to come, to realize the dangers of crossing to the other side, he slipped. Me, I’m alone with five kids, I’m trying to do everything I can, but I’m not going to be able to control everything.”
Not many children and teenagers gathered, according to Fabienne, 57, they were still seen gathering. “all social classes, all generations”. He comes from the 10th arrondissement of Marseille, the place where Socayna, a 24-year-old student, died from a stray bullet in his room in September 2023. That’s him “first white march.”
This is “Amine’s words repeated in all media“, “dignity” who convinced him to be there, along with a colleague. “It’s important for us to have many strong people. As he said, they can kill someone but not the entire people.” “In our daily lives, continued the speech therapist, we don’t smell of drug trafficking. There are actually two worlds that coexist in Marseille. We have to get out of this unconsciousness.”
After the salute, the crowd slowly dispersed. Some people took a few seconds to reflect, placing flowers or candles, before returning to the metro. The question of “after” enters the conversation. Marion Honde-Amiar, in charge of working class neighborhoods for the PCF in Bouches-du-Rhône, wondered: “When we demand utilities for working class neighborhoods, what are we going to do?”
