The municipality has firmly condemned all violence committed on October 17th, against both people and property. It denounces the attacks targeting public buildings, particularly town halls, which it describes as "houses of the people" and symbols of democracy and local public services. Attacking town halls, therefore, undermines our already fragile democracy.
The municipality expresses its full solidarity with the affected communes, their inhabitants, their elected officials and their agents, as well as with the shopkeepers who were victims of destruction and looting.
However, this violence should not be confused with demonstrations, which were overwhelmingly peaceful. Condemning it should not overshadow the social demands expressed or the profound difficulties our society is facing.
Today, the priority must be the defense of democracy. And defending democracy means both protecting its symbols and providing answers to the growing problems faced by the population.
