Commission d’enquête sur le 17 octobre, Digi Mart USA News: France’s left-wing parties are gathering testimony and evidence ahead of the start of a parliamentary inquiry into the October 17 protest day.
La France insoumise and the Ecologists are launching two separate initiatives to collect testimonies and possible evidence of police violence or state failures. The inquiry, which concerns a day of mobilization against the high cost of living, begins its work Tuesday.
La France insoumise has posted an online form on its website to collect testimonies from anyone who wishes to contribute, whether as victims or witnesses. Deputy Ugo Bernalicis said at a press conference at the National Assembly that the appeal is very broad, aimed at relaying their accounts, requests for hearings and examining a number of documents.
The page of the form states that personal accounts, photos and videos will help document the facts, question officials about their decisions and identify failures by the state.
The Ecologist and social group has launched a similar effort through the website vuenmanif.fr to gather the views of citizens, protesters, shopkeepers and, as it put it, perhaps members of the security forces. Spokesperson Léa Balage El Mariky said the aim is to help bring out the truth.
The inquiry’s start has been difficult. Its co-rapporteur from the Horizons party resigned, denouncing the absence of the National Rally from a key position that led to a boycott.
On the first day, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez is scheduled to be heard from 3 p.m. on his handling of public order on October 17.
The day of mobilization saw damage, violence and looting at an unprecedented level of intensity, including injuries among both security forces and protesters.
