French lawmakers in the National Assembly have taken a significant step in acknowledging and condemning the brutal police crackdown on Algerian protesters in Paris in 1961. The resolution passed with a 67-11 vote, denouncing the violent repression that occurred on October 17, 1961. This historical event, long shrouded in secrecy, saw around 12,000 Algerians arrested and dozens killed, with some bodies reportedly thrown into the Seine River.
President Emmanuel Macron, in 2021, recognized the tragedy on its 60th anniversary, revealing that at least 120 protesters lost their lives, either through gunfire or drowning. The demonstrators had responded to a peaceful protest call by the French branch of the National Liberation Front (FLN), which was advocating for Algerian independence and protesting a discriminatory curfew imposed on Algerians in the Paris region.
France's acknowledgment of this dark chapter in its history comes as part of a broader effort to confront its colonial past and address long-standing grievances. The resolution also calls for the establishment of a national day of remembrance to honor the victims of the 1961 massacre.
Algeria, which was under French rule for 132 years until gaining independence in 1962, continues to grapple with the legacy of its colonial history. The events of 1961 serve as a stark reminder of the violence and oppression faced by Algerians during the struggle for independence.
