About sixty people, including a majority of law enforcement, were injured on Sunday March 13 in Bastia (Haute-Corse) during a rally in support of Yvan Colonna, in a coma since his attack by a fellow prisoner in the Arles prison (Bouches-du-Rhône). The demonstration turned into a confrontation for six hours with the police. In an attempt to ease the tensions that have lasted since March 2 and the attack on the man who was sentenced for the assassination of the prefect Érignac, Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of the Interior, will go there on Wednesday and Thursday.
Yvan Colonna’s aggression has, in a way, “rekindled the wick” because the nationalist activist has become a figure in Corsica. His four-year career in the bush and his stubborn refusal to plead guilty to the murder of Prefect Erignac, despite three trials and as many convictions, have made him a sort of hero for some Corsicans, even if others are uncomfortable with that. We see here and there graffiti “Glory to Yvan”.
The attack therefore aroused emotion and anger. “In Corsica, we have the Borgo prison. If he had been in Borgo, he would not have been in danger because the detainees there are not jihadists or particularly dangerous”assures Vanina, convinced that nothing would have happened if Yvan Colonna had been transferred as he requested.
“We are asking for the law to be applied and for the prisoners to come and serve their sentence on their land.”
Vanina, a Corsican woman
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Vanina even goes so far as to ask for the release of the three detainees from the Érignac commando. “It is time for them to be freed. They have paid enough. They have been convicted for the act they have done – or not for that matter, because Yvan Colonna has always maintained his innocence. The state would have been able to admit the responsibility he has in this affair.”
In the processions, the massive presence of young people – sometimes very young – strikes. Those who confronted law enforcement for six hours on Sunday in Bastia were 14 or 15 years old. “Today, we militate with violence. It’s unfortunate but we, the young people, think that’s how we have to show things for things to move”, confirms a slightly older youngster, crossed in Ajaccio. He regrets that Yvan Colonna’s wife did not “no particular feedback” when she spoke directly to Emmanuel Macron.
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The question of the proximity of the Corsican prisoners is as important for him as for Vanina. “We are campaigning so that their families can see them on our island, at home. We all know people who are in prison. It is difficult to go to the mainland to see them and to have ties with them.”
Alongside these young people, there are also more seasoned activists. Sometimes, we even find fathers, who try to buffer. “I understand the anger of our youth. Afterwards, they must not put their lives in danger. It’s absolutely useless”testifies a father torn between the fear of violence and the satisfaction of seeing the younger generation take up the torch. “Even if it’s complicated to answer certain questions, you have to put yourself in their shoes. Their ancestors fought for years and there were no results.” He recognizes that “Something” rekindled the flame of demands.
“They have decided to express their frustration and anger. They are fighting for their Corsica, their land. It makes perfect sense.”
The father of a young Corsican protester
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For the past week, the government has taken several steps against Corsica. The status of Special Detainee (DPS) of the last two members of the Erignac commando has been lifted. They should be able to be transferred to Corsica, as well as Yvan Colonna if his condition allows. But that was not enough to calm the anger. Sometimes the opposite even happens. Some are convinced that only violent demonstrations are effective.
This is where politics should come in. However, from now on, the nationalist movement which calls for demonstrations is also at the helm of the single community. The boss of the executive, Gilles Simeoni, believes that this anger is also the result of a lack of powers attributed to his community. “It is not the power exercised by the community of Corsica that the young people question. It is precisely the fact that the decisions of the Corsican community are not taken into account by the State”he judges.
He is therefore looking for an outlet to avoid a new cycle of violence. “Through their anger, the young Corsicans say today that there is a real lack of consideration of the choices made by universal suffrage. This is the real problem. We hoped a lot: that our people be recognized and respected, that we can choose and build our present and our future. However, we realize that democracy does not work because Paris does not respect universal suffrage.”
Like many Corsicans, Gilles Simeoni asks for a status of autonomy for the island. The question will potentially be on the menu of discussions with the Minister of the Interior. It remains to be seen what could concretely move, less than a month before the presidential election.
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