Mayor of Paris Suburb to Sue Over Persistent Racist Abuse

"Get out, back to the homeland", "terrorist", "the guillotine for this war criminal", "unworthy Algerian of France". According to the mayor, these are the racist insults he has endured since his election as head of this municipality in 2014. "For years, with a more violent accentuation in recent months, I have received letters, threats, messages on social networks and unworthy insults of our Republic," explained the mayor in a statement.

Exasperated, Mr. Taïbi says he now wants to "systematically file a complaint" in case of insults or threats. "No room for hatred in our Republic. This applies to everyone," he insists. According to the elected official, the accentuation of recent months would be justified by the political and media climate. "The racist violence of certain media and columnists, as well as the extreme right-wing drift of a (far too visible) fringe of the political class, cannot be tolerated," he points out.

The mayor has received the support of the President of the Departmental Council of Seine-Saint-Denis. "Racism is a crime, it is urgent that it be punished as such! These acts must not go unpunished," he declares.