“We want to live together in peace in Béziers”: a silent march in homage to Mohamed Idrissi, assassinated by his neighbor

The silent march in tribute to Mohamed Idrissi was organized this Sunday, December 8, by the Franco-Moroccan Friendship Association. Diane Petitmangin

This silent march, which brought together a hundred people, was led by Driss Bouhaja, the president of the association. Diane Petitmangin

At the foot of his building, at 8 ter rue Guilhemon, a table was set up in tribute to the deceased. Diane Petitmangin

Emmanuelle Ménard et d’autres élus municipaux étaient présents à cette marche en hommage à Mohamed Idrissi, assassiné le 30 novembre dernier. Diane Petitmangin

The Franco-Moroccan Friendship Association of Béziers organized, this Sunday, December 8, a silent march in memory of this 61-year-old Moroccan, murdered by a stab wound in the mouth on November 30. About a hundred people participated.

“We don't want that in our city. We want to live together and in peace. That's the message for tomorrow, the message for our children”. His voice hoarse with emotion, Driss Bouhaja, the president of the Franco-Moroccan Friendship Association of Béziers, hammered out these words.

This Sunday, December 8, the association organized a silent march in memory of Mohamed Idrissi, a 61-year-old man who was murdered by a stab wound to the mouth on Saturday, November 30 by his 22-year-old neighbor.

A silent tribute parade

Gathered early in the afternoon in front of the Béziers sub-prefecture, it was in total silence, behind a tribute banner and placards in memory of this farm worker, that the hundred or so participants set off.

The procession, in which municipal elected officials were noted – Emmanuelle Ménard, Élisabeth Pissarro and Michel Hérail – headed towards the home of Mohamed Idrissi. At the foot of the building, on a table set up, there was a portrait of the deceased, a bouquet of flowers, some dates and milk and a book of condolences.

The refusal of violence

After a prayer said by the imam and taken up by part of the assembly, the participants were invited to sign the register, while Driss Bouhaja reminded us again: “We do not want this violence!”.

“Today, it is an entire family that mourns, here and in Morocco, the disappearance of this simple man, continues the president of the association. He had lived in Béziers for twenty-five years. He was hardworking and always kind, never hurt anyone. We just want to live together in peace in Béziers.”