“We must collectively fight racism, revisionism, conspiracy and separatism”, declared Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq in a message read this Sunday, July 18 in the presence of civil and military authorities as well as representatives of the Israelite religious association of Dijon and LICRA.
While François Mitterrand was President of the Republic, a decree of March 5, 1993 established a day of tribute which became in 2000, under the leadership of President Jacques Chirac, the National Day in memory of the victims of racist and anti-Semitic crimes. of the French State and to the “Righteous” of France. In memory of the roundup of the Winter Velodrome that occurred on July 16 and 17, 1942 in Paris, the ceremonies take place on the Sunday following July 16.
The ceremony of this July 18, 2021 in the courtyard of Dijon station was chaired by Danyl Afsoud, director of cabinet of the prefect of the Côte-d’Or, in the presence of Fadila Khattabi (LREM), member of the Côte-d ‘However, Océane Charret-Godard (PS), vice-president of the regional council of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Françoise Tenenbaum (PS), deputy mayor of Dijon, as well as lieutenant-colonel Étienne Royal, departmental military delegate, of the captain David Chausse, representing the commander of the gendarmerie region, and the divisional commissioner Jean-Claude Dunand, departmental director of public security.
“The acts, the anti-Semitic words continue”
President of the Mémoire (s) Vive (s) association, Sylvain Blandin spoke first to evoke the testimony of a raid carried out in Châtillon-sur-Seine on July 13, 1942 and indicate the names of 21 deportees from Côte -D’Or during the month of July 1942. “At a time when the last witnesses disappear, when acts and anti-Semitic remarks persist, we must continue to do this work of memory,” added Sylvain Blandin.
Member of the Jewish worship association of Dijon, chaired by Israel Cemachovic, Elis Sadigh read the prayer for the Dead. The International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA) was represented by Alain David.
“During these abject days, France betrayed its values and its history”
Danyl Afsoud then read a message from Geneviève Darrieussecq, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces, in charge of Memory and Veterans. The minister indicates that 4,115 children were arrested during the Vél’d’Hiv roundup: “none of those who were deported to the ‘death camps’ returned”.
“July 16 and 17, 1942 remain a mark of infamy in our history, an injury to our national memory. 13,152 Jews, who had trusted the homeland of Human Rights, were arrested and handed over to their executioners. During these abject days, France betrayed its values and its history, covering our honor with the veil of compromise. The culpable zeal of the French State, of the collaborators and of the Pétain regime had seconded the criminal madness of the occupier ”, declares Geneviève Darrieussecq in this message.
“The flame of remembrance will not be extinguished. On this national day, the Nation pays tribute to the victims of racist and anti-Semitic crimes of the French state. She remembers the Vel d’Hiv roundup and all the others, the 76,000 deportees, the victims of gypsies, homosexuals, disabled people and so many others, ”explains the Minister.
“The Righteous have brought to life the values which are dear to us”
“In the same movement, France remembers the martyrs and the saviors. In those hours, there was darkness but so many lights too. Heroes, known or anonymous, have saved, helped, hidden, welcomed, protected, accompanied, often at the risk of their lives, children, women, men and families. So many and so were saved from the roundup of the innocent by these sparks of humanity. The Righteous have, in the depths of our country, brought to life the values that are dear to us, ”she insists.
Finally, Geneviève Darrieussecq weaves a link between the duty of memory and the action of the executive in the face of current threats: “in the path traced by Jacques Chirac and pursued by the President of the Republic, France looks at its history with truth. This national day invites each French to wake up and be vigilant in the face of extremism, anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination. There are plagues that plague a nation, we must collectively fight racism, revisionism, conspiracy and separatism. Thus, we are working in favor of a certain idea of France, but also for a certain idea of humanity ”.
After reading this message, the civil and military authorities as well as the associative representatives proceeded to deposit wreaths of flowers at the foot of the two plaques which call out to passers-by at the entrance to the station. The ceremony was concluded with a bell ringing for the Dead, a minute of silence and the national anthem.
Jean-Christophe Tardivon
–
