Since February 9, the distribution of leaflets has been prohibited in certain streets of Neuilly-Plaisance, on certain days. The activists of La France Insoumise point to a “scandalous attitude of the mayor”.
The first round of the presidential election, organized on April 10, is fast approaching. But in Neuilly-Plaisance (Seine-Saint-Denis), it is forbidden to tow on the market. A municipal decree dated February 9 indeed restricts the distribution of “tracts, leaflets, programs and printed matter of all kinds“on the public road.
“Yet 15 days or three weeks ago, we had towed quietly without any problem… The municipal police had told us nothing“says Thomas Portes, support of Jean-Luc Mélenchon for the presidential election and leader of the 93-3 constituency.
the decree, available online, prohibits towing in several streets of the city center, in particular near the market. Distributions are described as an activity “tension generator“, capable of “interfere with particularly dense pedestrian traffic“. The measure is also presented as a means of combating a risk of pollution, with “throwing papers on the public highway“.
“Our militants are responsible, they do not throw leaflets on the ground, reacts Thomas Portes. And we have always received a very warm welcome on the market. There is a desire to stifle any debate within the framework of the campaign.”
According to the Neuilly-Plaisance Insoumise Action Group, which issued a press release to denounce the ban, the decree was issued a few days after an exchange on the market between activists and the mayor LR Christian Demuynck. According to LFI activists, the city councilor would have refused the distribution of leaflets in “pretexting the existence of a hitherto unknown ‘decree’“.
But, still according to the press release, the decree would have been taken “A few days“after the exchange in question.”The mayor therefore clearly displays his political will to restrict the possibilities of campaigning around the market, for the rebellious as for all other movements and associations.“, point the finger at the LFI activists. “The mayor talks about the renewal of an old decree, but no one is able to provide the trace“, also laments Thomas Portes.
The press release denouncesthe scandalous attitude of the mayor“, “who by his decisions hinders the smooth running of the presidential campaign“. LFI activists demand to “take the necessary measures to guarantee the access of Nocéennes and Nocéennes to the democratic debate in progress”.
For his part, the mayor LR Christian Demuynck confirms having modified an old decree, and indicates that “other cities, such as Lille” have already taken similar decisions in the past. The city councilor emphasizes that the ban concerns “reduced space and reduced hours“. He says he made the decision “on principle“, to avoid “nuisances“and ensure that the inhabitants”can shop in peace“.
“I am not convinced that the democratic debate can develop very widely in a market”, also reacts the mayor, who speaks of “a lot of ado about not much” regarding the controversy. According to him, LFI activists have the opportunity to “come campaign elsewhere“, for example “at market entrance“.
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