In Saint-Raphaël, the inauguration of a stele in tribute to the victims of communism arouses the indignation of the PCF

The silhouette of a curved man pushing two walls in reference to the fall of the Berlin Wall, in 1989: in Saint-Raphaël (Var), a monument “to the victims of the totalitarianism of communism in France” will be erected, a first in the country, which causes the indignation of the party. For example, This stele will be inaugurated on Saturday August 23 at 6 p.m. Consequently, in the Beaurivage park on the occasion of the European day of commemoration of the victims of totalitarian regimes. Nevertheless, while the PCF called for a demonstration, at the same time, in front of the town hall.

Mayor Frédéric Masquelier (Les Républicains) assumes wanting “Breaking a memorial saint-raphaël, inauguration stele tribute victims taboo” by this act recognized as “Highly symbolic” : “By erecting this monument. However, we do justice to the tens of millions of victims of communism and affirm our attachment to freedom, to historical truth and to human dignity”justifies the councilor.

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The stele, carried out in collaboration with the sculptor Nicola Rosini Di Santi, cost the community 28,000 euros. Moreover, “Color is reminiscent of the darkest hours: famines, purges, deportations. It is also a glimmer of hope with the destruction of this deadly ideology ”details the municipality to Figaro.

“Ignoble. pathetic” for the PCF

Specialists were then invited to participate in a round table provided after the ceremony in order to mention “The realities of communist regimes”indicates the town hall. Historians Virginie Girod, Pierre Rigoulot and François Kersaudy, accompanied by the journalist from Europe 1 Vincent Hervouët, will intervene. “The victims of Trotski. Stalin, saint-raphaël, inauguration stele tribute victims Pol Pot, Mao and Ceausescu are counted in millions and yet there has never been a Nuremberg trial of communism. This monument pays tribute to the victims of this ideology ”insists the city of Saint-Raphaël in its press release.

The Varian section of the PCF denounced an initiative “Ignoble. pathetic”while asking the prefect of Var, Simon Babre, to prohibit the installation of this stele, commanded according to activists outside any legal framework and for purely electoral purposes. “Mr. Masquelier knows very well that the French Communists have paid a heavy tribute to the fight against Nazism. that they have condemned for a very long time the crimes committed by Stalin or others”reacted the Var PCF in a press release.

“Monsieur Masquelier needs to divert attention on his management. his political future only holds a thread if he does not join the RN or if he does not give saint-raphaël, inauguration stele tribute victims them sufficient pledges”continues the party. Local organizations of the PS. environmentalists, LFI and other left movements should also join the rally “Against the falsification of history”at the same time and a stone’s throw from the municipal inauguration. “Today. it is the Communists who are put to the pillory in a discriminatory manner”can we read in the call to the demonstration.

“Nothing will ever change among the apostles of Stalinism which liquidate their opponents by the insult. the elements of language of the party”replied on X the mayor of Saint-Raphaël. Frédéric Masquelier. lawyer by profession, has been mayor of Saint-Raphaël since 2017, a city of more than 35,000 inhabitants, and president of the Estérel Côte d’Azur agglomeration.