Racist Graffiti Targeting Muslims Discovered in French Town of Hyères

These racist messages addressed to the Muslim community and written in black paint in early December on facades or sidewalks are still visible in the city at the beginning of the year. A merchant on the Cours de Strasbourg found the first racist tag on the sidewalk in front of the entrance to his store on the first Monday of December. He immediately filed a complaint with the Hyères police station, reports Var-matin. The same day, another merchant said he had discovered an identical message on the step of his store.

The next day, another hate message, written in English, was found on the facade of the local headquarters of Secours Catholique, located on Rue Pasteur. "This hits head-on the principle for which we exist, which is unconditional welcome, regardless of religion, origin, gender..." had deplored Jean-Michel Permingeat, the Var delegate of the charitable association, adding that "what seems important to us is not to let this kind of thing happen, not to be indifferent." The official also filed a complaint.

During the weekend before Christmas, a hateful message was again written on the sidewalk of the same business, located on Rue Alphonse-Denis. "Go home" could be read among other things. A bar and a PMU tobacco shop as well as three other stores in the city were also targeted by these racist tags. "It’s a tired person, we can follow his trail," indignantly says one victim. "Given the messages, I don’t think this person has even a slightly developed education," asserts another.

Most of these racist messages were written on or near businesses run or frequented by people of Maghrebian origin. The two victims who filed complaints hope that an investigation will be opened to identify and apprehend the perpetrator(s) of these acts who are trying to "call into question the living together that exists in this city." For its part, the municipality should also file a complaint next week.