Fervent defenders of public service, communist activists are, this time, victims. Three of them were fined by railway security on Wednesday evening in front of the Mantes-la-Jolie (Yvelines) station, for distributing their newspaper. They were fined 200 euros. Curious detail: the fine contains neither reason nor identity of the offender.
At the end of the day on Wednesday, Marc Jammet, secretary of the local section, drags his ballot paper in front of the station with two of his companions. A banal operation that this story has been organizing for years, without ever accidents.
Except that evening. “We saw some railway police officers pass in front of us. They found themselves in the station square with other colleagues, as if they were together. Then they headed towards us”, explains the former elected official from Mantes-la-Jolie, who has run several times in municipal elections.
“We are in the public domain”
The head of the brigade goes to meet them and informs them that they do not have the right to distribute their documentation on an SNCF website. “We are on the square, it is public knowledge,” replied the activist. The chef insists. Also Marc Jammet. “Then he asks me if I have my documents. I tell him yes. But I won’t show them to him because he has no right to control me in a public space. I’m logical, right? », he adds.
Everyone remains firm in their positions. And the security officer will fine him 200 euros… without having obtained his identity. A phantom PV that Marc Jammet couldn’t even pay if he wanted!
The incident sparked numerous reactions in the Mantaise region. In a press release, the Mantois ecologists gave their support to the communists. On his website, marked with the hammer and sickle, Marc Jammet enjoyed publishing some photos dating back several months: we see several mayors of the Mantaise region picking up in the same place. They had not been fined.
When contacted, the SNCF was unable to respond to us this Saturday.
How can communities effectively support activists facing legal challenges for their free expression?
Interview: Time.news Editor with Marc Jammet, Local Communist Activist
Editor: Welcome, Marc. It’s great to have you here to discuss a rather striking incident that unfolded recently at the Mantes-la-Jolie station. Can you walk us through what happened?
Marc Jammet: Thank you for having me. It was a rather routine day for us. My colleagues and I had been distributing our newspaper, which is something we’ve done for years without any issues. However, on Wednesday evening, we were approached by railway security who handed us fines out of nowhere.
Editor: That sounds frustrating. You mentioned that the fines amounted to 200 euros each. What was particularly unusual about the fines?
Marc Jammet: Indeed, the fines were for 200 euros, but there was no explanation provided on the ticket—no reason cited for the fine, and astonishingly, there was no identification of the officers involved. It felt arbitrary and somewhat oppressive.
Editor: It sounds like a violation of your right to free expression. Historically, how have events like this impacted the activist community in your area?
Marc Jammet: Incidents like this are unfortunately not new. They create a chilling effect. When individuals are punished for simply expressing their views or distributing information, it discourages civic participation. We’ve always believed in public service, and being targeted for that is incredibly disheartening.
Editor: You mentioned that you and your companions had been conducting these distributions without incident for years. Did anything feel different about this particular evening?
Marc Jammet: Yes, definitely. It felt almost coordinated. When we noticed the police officers, they seemed to be gathering among themselves before approaching us, which raised suspicion. It seemed like they were waiting for the right moment to intervene.
Editor: Going forward, what steps do you feel need to be taken to address such issues and safeguard the rights of activists?
Marc Jammet: We need to raise awareness among citizens about these tactics. We’ll be challenging these fines legally, but beyond that, it’s crucial for the community to unite in support of free expression. Public service and activism should be celebrated, not penalized.
Editor: It’s heartening to hear your resolve. How can the broader community support activists in situations like yours?
Marc Jammet: Solidarity is key! Attending rallies, sharing our articles, and amplifying our message via social media are all ways people can help. It’s about building a collective voice that cannot be easily silenced.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights, Marc. It’s a reminder of the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges. We’ll keep an eye on how this situation develops.
Marc Jammet: Thank you for the opportunity. It’s crucial to keep these conversations alive.