The two demonstrations were finally authorized even though the authorities feared clashes. A year after the death of Thomas, fatally stabbed after leaving a ball in Crépol (Drôme), the left and the ultra-right are marching remotely this Saturday in the streets of Romans-sur-Isère. Led by left-wing organizations, the first rally started early in the afternoon behind a banner bearing the message “Faced with racists, Romans resists”.
Several hundred people took part in the procession, including activists from La Jeune Garde and France Insoumise. “It is important for us to say that Romans is not a far-right city, that despite the fact that the ultra-right has put us on a map and on their political agenda, we, on the ground, we want to say stop to that,” explained Julie Maurel, member of the Collectif pour Novels.
The ultra-right parades in tribute to Thomas and Nicolas
The procession left the Monnaie district, the scene of demonstrations resembling a punitive expedition a few days after Thomas’ death because some suspects in the case came from there.
The other demonstration of the day is to be held from mid-afternoon in a square in the city center. Organized by a small ultra-right group called “Justice for Ours”, it intends to pay tribute to Thomas and Nicolas, a young man killed in early November in front of a discotheque in the department.