[ad_1]
In Nice, people mourn the three victims of the knife attack. At the same time, a renewed debate is emerging across the country about how to respond to terrorism.
By Sabine Wachs, ARD-Studio Paris
Lighting tea candles on a stone block in front of the Notre Dame de Nice basilica. People stand reverently in front of the church, laying flowers, where three people were brutally murdered on Thursday morning. Marc, a young man with a three-day beard and glasses, bends down and, with a lighter, relights the tea lights, which blows out the cool wind.
“I’ve been to this church several times. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back. Not out of fear, but I feel so helpless. I want people to understand that killing others is not good.” There is simply no good reason to do it. These massacres have to end. ”
It speaks from the souls of many who came to church that night. Some pray, others simply stare at the basilica, at the entrance of which people in full-length white suits appear again and again. Forensics are still working. People stand together in small groups, arguing.
“It just doesn’t stop. Since 2016, the July 14 attack on the Promenade des Anglais, then now the master. It just doesn’t end. And now it has happened here. Here in Nice. Again.” “says Sandrine. She too is completely stunned.
Macron under fire
Killing people in a church while praying, what’s the point? He asks Christian, who is next to him. The man in his sixties, who has lived on the Côte d’Azur for years, blames the actions of President Macron and the government for the attack. Since the brutal assassination of teacher Samuel Paty, the government has cracked down on Islamists, including closing a mosque.
French President Macron has defended Mohamed’s cartoons in the name of freedom of expression. Several Arab countries have called for a boycott of French products. Circles close to the terrorist organization Al Qaeda are said to have called for attacks in France.
“Maybe we should make cartoons about other things, but not about Mohamed anymore. Maybe that’s the solution. I don’t know. But can’t we express our freedom of expression in a way other than with these cartoons?”
How to combat terrorism?
A debate that is not only held in Nice. French President Macron, who was in Nice that afternoon, made clear once again that the country will not back down in the dispute over its values. He urged all French men and women, regardless of their religion, religious or not, to stand together.
In Nice they do it that night. Among the people crying in front of Notre Dame Basilica are some veiled women. Nezar approaches the stone block very shyly.
“This is for everyone, for all Christians, for all people”, says the young Muslim woman and puts a big candle next to her many lit tea lights. Then it is quickly removed. “I know exactly what this place, the church, means to Christians. I put a candle to apologize.”
