Three days after the assassination of Dominique Bernard, a French professor who was stabbed on Friday, October 13, 2023 at the Gambetta-Carnot high school in Arras (Pas-de-Calais), and exactly three years after the beheading of Samuel Paty on October 16, 2020 in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine (Yvelines), the teaching unions of Île-de-France called for a gathering this Monday, around the statue of the Republic in Paris.
The purpose of the gathering was to urge the government to take strong measures, emphasize that schools are becoming targets, and reject any attempt to politicize the tragedy. “Respect the mourning of our profession,” was whispered in the cold autumn evening.
Between the brief speech and the subsequent media frenzy, a minute of silence was observed by the crowd, sheltered under the rare golden rays of the sun. During this moment, a few white roses pierced through the sea of dark colors.
Estéban, a young attendee, fixed his gaze on the allegory of the Republic. “Both of my parents are teachers, it scares me, of course,” he timidly confided. And he mumbled, “I thought it was important to be present.”
A small group also held up the hashtag “Touche pas à mon prof” (Don’t touch my teacher), with a grave expression. Meanwhile, “Voltuan,” a prominent figure in Parisian gatherings since the mid-90s and a former teacher, caught the attention of the cameras. Holding his imposing sign with difficulty, he recited his text: “This world is completely falling apart.” Syndicate representatives and elected officials stood behind him, shaking hands with individuals who approached.
Under the tree, with its branches hanging over the subway entrance, two teachers watched the scene from a distance. “Do you think that once all this is over, they will still care about teachers?”
An hour passed, night fell, and the gathering slowly dispersed.
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