France Unites in Massive Political and Public Marches to Honor Mehdi Kessaci and Fight Narcotrafic

The assassination of Mehdi Kessaci in Marseille has prompted a nationwide mobilization marked by solemn marches and political unity against narcotrafic. A key event, a silent white march, will take place in Marseille on November 22 at 3 PM, nine days after Kessaci's murder. Organized by his brother, Amine Kessaci, a noted anti-drug trafficking activist, the march is intended as a silent tribute without banners or flags to honor Mehdi and to call for a unified front against organized crime.

Amine Kessaci has described his brother’s murder as a "political crime" and a warning tied to his activism, urging citizens to rise in greater numbers to prevent such violence from fracturing the nation. The march, beginning at the shooting site and proceeding to the Dôme, will also be held in at least twenty other French cities, including Bordeaux, Lyon, and Paris.

The mobilization has attracted significant political support. Around fifty political figures across the spectrum are expected in Marseille, including government spokesperson Maud Brégeon, Minister of Housing Vincent Jeanbrun, former ministers Gabriel Attal and Éric Dupond-Moretti, opposition leaders such as Raphaël Glucksmann and Dominique de Villepin, and local officials like Marseille’s Mayor Benoît Payan and Martine Vassal, president of the department. These figures emphasize unity and the importance of upholding the rule of law.

A larger white march is scheduled for November 25 at the rond-point Claudie d’Arcy in Marseille, the scene of the assassination, with hopes to rally at least 100,000 participants wearing white, symbolizing peace and solidarity. Security measures have been planned to safeguard the event. The European Parliament will also honor Mehdi with a minute of silence on the coming Monday.

Mayor Benoît Payan stressed the necessity of national unity against this challenge to democracy. Amine Kessaci said, "If we are thousands to rise and speak out, they cannot kill an entire Nation," underscoring the collective resolve to confront narcotrafic and violent crime.

This series of events represents a significant political and public outcry in France, uniting diverse political factions and communities to mourn Mehdi Kessaci and reinforce the fight against drug-related violence.