2024-04-12 20:14:23
During the gathering in tribute to Shemseddine, in Viry-Châtillon (Essonne), April 12, 2024. SARAH MEYSSONNIER / REUTERS
On the banner, a sun. « Shems » in Arabic – that’s what his relatives nicknamed him. And, in black letters, these words: “Rest in peace, Shemseddine”. This Friday, April 12, two thousand people gathered in Viry-Châtillon (Essonne) to pay tribute to this 15-year-old teenager who died on April 5, after being beaten up as he left his college by four young men (one major aged 20 and three minors aged 17).
Among the attackers, two brothers who, according to the Evry public prosecutor, had ordered several boys to no longer correspond with their sister, aged 15, “subjects relating to sexuality”. To the victims “boasted of being able freely [lui] talk “specified a press release from the prosecution.
It only took a few minutes on Friday for the House of Youth and Culture (MJC) in the Cilof district to disappear behind a crowd dressed in white. Many mothers responded to the town hall’s call, accompanied by their children. “I am sad, worried and angry, because I do not understand that something so serious could happen here, in this city where I do not feel insecure,” confides Sandie (the people cited by their first name requested anonymity), whose son attends fifth grade at a nearby college. They all have a thought for the victim’s mother. Like Angie, some imagine: “It could have been mine”.
“Youth is also capable of the best”
But the procession mainly displays adolescent faces. Liana’s is lined with tears. The young girl, rose in hand, knew Shemseddine, “as everyone knows each other here”. “I didn’t believe it… he was a nice person, who didn’t make a fuss. Knowing that people our age did this is unthinkable and disgusting.”, she regrets. Her friends agree: “We just had to talk. It wasn’t necessary to get to this point. »
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Behind the banner, Shemseddine’s relatives lead the march, their eyes drawn and in silence. Her mother did not find the strength to come. It is a cousin who will read the words she wrote, once the crowd has gathered inside the Eric Durand stadium. A message of thanks addressed to the mayors of his city and neighboring towns, but also to the police and to all those who supported the family, in particular the young people, many of whom have mobilized in recent days to pay tribute to his son : “You brought contradiction to horror and proved that youth is also capable of the best. »
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