1000's rally in Marseille to sentence drug violence after killing of activist's brother

[ad_1] 1000's of individuals gathered in Marseille on Saturday to honour the brother of an anti-drug activist murdered in France's second largest metropolis final week after his demise sparked nationwide calls to confront drug crime.

Demonstrators chanted "Justice for Mehdi" earlier than observing a minute of silence on the roundabout the place the 20-year-old Mehdi Kessaci was shot useless by a gunman in his parked automobile on November 13.

Investigations are ongoing however authorities take into account the homicide to be a "warning crime" linked to the anti-drug activism of his brother Amine Kessaci, 22, who was welcomed by cheers as he joined the gang on Saturday.

Amine Kessaci is now dwelling below police safety and the gathering as marked by heavy police presence within the southern port metropolis onerous hit by drug crime.

The younger anti-drug and environmental activist threw himself into campaigning after his half-brother Brahim was murdered in a drug-trafficking feud in 2020.

Learn extra Focusing on the household?: Brother of French anti-drugs activist shot useless in Marseille

"I demand justice for Mehdi. I demand justice for Brahim, my different murdered brother. I demand justice for all of the victims. I demand security for my household," stated Amine Kessaci, whose presence on the gathering wasn't confirmed till the final second as a consequence of safety issues.

A former lawmaker has referred to as for him to be awarded France's highest order of benefit, the Legion of Honor, however the activist stated it was "the moms of the neighbourhoods (hit by drug crime) who deserve a ornament for his or her braveness, their dignity, their day by day battle".

"For years we now have been elevating the alarm, we now have been talking out as a result of we all know that silence kills. Every retreat by the establishments has facilitated the advance of drug trafficking," he stated on Saturday by way of a recorded message performed to the gang.

Marseille has been struggling to battle drug crime, with greater than a dozen folks killed because the begin of the 12 months in turf wars and different disputes linked to cocaine and hashish dealing.

"Worry can't beat us," stated Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan.

"We should resist and combat them, wage a battle towards those that kill for cash," he added, calling for unity and refusing to let Marseille be labeled a "narco-city".

'Scourge' Politicians from throughout the political spectrum joined the gathering, Mehdi Kessaci's demise having sparked a nationwide deal with drug crime, with initiatives additionally deliberate in some 25 different cities and cities.

Many laid white flowers on the spot the place Mehdi, who aspired to turn out to be a police officer, was killed.

Inside Minister Laurent Nunez has referred to as the crime a "turning level" and President Emmanuel Macron urged France to step up its actions and use the identical method it has used towards "terrorism".

Whereas drug-related homicides typically make front-page information in Marseille, Mehdi Kessaci's killing shocked the town.

Activists had been among the many crowd of greater than 6,200 folks, the place some carried white flowers and wore white shirts.

For 72-year-old activist Anne-Marie Tagawa, the gathering could be a second of "reflection, but additionally for us to say we're not happy with what is going on".

<img fetchpriority="low" src="https://s.france24.com/media/display/e5c703dc-c7c2-11f0-88d3-005056a90284/w:980/73403851dea9bdecf53028a8947e14f1525bd746.jpg" srcset="https://s.france24.com/media/display/e5c703dc-c7c2-11f0-88d3-005056a90284/w:246/73403851dea9bdecf53028a8947e14f1525bd746.jpg 246w,https://s.france24.com/media/display/e5c703dc-c7c2-11f0-88d3-005056a90284/w:388/73403851dea9bdecf53028a8947e14f1525bd746.jpg 388w,https://s.france24.com/media/display/e5c703dc-c7c2-11f0-88d3-005056a90284/w:720/73403851dea9bdecf53028a8947e14f1525bd746.jpg 720w,https://s.france24.com/media/display/e5c703dc-c7c2-11f0-88d3-005056a90284/w:980/73403851dea9bdecf53028a8947e14f1525bd746.jpg 980w" sizes="(max-width: 1023px) calc(100vw - 32px), (min-width: 1024px) 850px" alt="People layed flowers and lit candles in tribute to Mehdi Kessaci at the roundabout where he was murdered and to protest against drug trafficking, in Marseille, France's second-largest city." loading="lazy" class="a-img "/> Individuals layed flowers and lit candles in tribute to Mehdi Kessaci on the roundabout the place he was murdered and to protest towards drug trafficking, in Marseille, France's second-largest metropolis. © Clement Mahoudeau, AFP She stated deprived neighbourhoods had been "fertile floor that has been deserted by establishments, the State", leaving them those that would flip them into locations the place crime thrives and set up "techniques of violence".

The bereaved mom of Mehdi Kessaci and Brahim, Ouassila Benhamdi, joined the gathering, dressed solely in white.

"My coronary heart is torn aside. I'm inconsolable. No mom needs to see her kids die earlier than her," she stated in a speech, which somebody completed studying for her as she was overcome by grief.