Terrorist", "future dealer": the first baby of Avignon targeted by a racist raid, his parents file a complaint

He is only a few days old, but he has already suffered human stupidity in its darkest form. A few hours after the publication of an article in La Provence announcing his birth as the first baby of the year in the City of the Popes, little Zaïd found himself at the heart of a wave of xenophobic harassment.

Under the publication, hundreds of messages poured in, attacking the child on the basis of his name and supposed origin. Insults such as "gnoule", "potential terrorist" or "future dealer" were uttered by internet users hidden behind the anonymity of their screens. Faced with the scale of the hatred, the regional daily had to close the comments section and delete the incriminating messages.

The shocked parents did not remain passive. On Wednesday, January 7th, they went to the Avignon police station to file a complaint. In France, public racist insults are punishable by one year’s imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros.

The case has immediately sparked an outcry. Olivier Biscaye, editor-in-chief of La Provence, condemned comments that were "intolerable and untenable". The political and associative class has also reacted: MP Raphaël Arnault denounced "ignoble" attacks against a newborn, while the League of Human Rights (LDH) points to "unabashed racism".

On the ground, solidarity is being organized. Posters have appeared in Montfavet with welcome messages: "Welcome Zaïd, Avignon is your home". A civic response to remind that hatred does not have the last word.