Sixty-five years after the 1961 Paris massacre, groups demand recognition of state violence against Algerian protesters. The event, marked by repression and silence, is now being commemorated.
Commemoration planned for 1961 Paris protest victims
Sixty-five years after the October 17, 1961, demonstration in Paris, organizations plan to honor the Algerian men and women who were victims of police violence during the event. The demonstration, which called for Algeria’s independence and equality, was violently suppressed by French authorities.Demonstration for independence and dignity
On October 17, 1961, tens of thousands of Algerian workers and their families gathered in Paris to protest a curfew imposed on the Algerian population. They demanded independence, equal rights, and dignity, but the demonstration was met with force by the police.Repression under Paris police chief
The violent crackdown was carried out under the authority of Maurice Papon, the Paris police prefect at the time. Papon was later convicted in 1998 for complicity in crimes against humanity for actions during World War II, though the 1961 events were not part of that conviction.Efforts to uncover hidden history
Organizers of the commemoration note that the events of 1961 were long suppressed by authorities and that the silence surrounding the tragedy was maintained by those in power. They credit citizens, historians, writers, and advocacy groups for bringing attention to the repression.Demands for recognition and accountability
The signatory organizations call for the French state to officially acknowledge its role in the violence of October 17, 1961, and to recognize the massacres as state crimes. They also demand unrestricted access to archives related to the Algerian war and colonization for researchers.Support from civil society and political groups
The event is backed by a wide range of groups, including unions, political parties, and advocacy organizations. Notable supporters include the League for Human Rights, the CGT union, and political parties such as La France insoumise and the French Communist Party.Commemorative event scheduled in Besançon
The gathering is set for Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., at the Battant Bridge in Besançon. Participants will perform a symbolic act by throwing flowers into the Doubs River in memory of those who suffered from racist and colonial violence.
