Coronavirus: the political class revolted by the brutality of the Paris police prefect
Text by: Philippe Lecaplain
Once again, the Paris police prefect Didier Lallement created controversy. In the morning, during a filmed police check, he made the link between the hospitalization of patients and the non-compliance with the decree contained in the face of the coronavirus. He then insisted on going back on his remarks.
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Read more" Those who are hospitalized today, those found in intensive care units, are those who, at the start of confinement, did not respect it, it is very simple, there is a very simple correlation ": these words of the prefect of Paris police were made this Friday morning during a road check at a door of Paris in order to dissuade people from going on vacation.
But this evening, there is this press release from the prefect : " The intention was not to establish a direct link between non-compliance with health instructions and the presence of patients in intensive care ," he said. He added: " It is a mistake because these words disturb the message of unity, of fraternity, which I wanted to place at the heart of my action in the management of this crisis ".
Between the two, the Minister of the Interior took his phone to give him a soap and ask him to correct the situation. And this quickly, as the political world rose up.
Avalanches of criticism, starting with that of the presidential party: " Authority is not brutality and the maintenance of order is not the moral judgment of our fellow citizens " blurted on Twitter LREM MP Aurélien Taché.
Authority is not brutality and policing is not the moral judgment of our citizens. In addition to very questionable and contested methods, the prefect #Lallement regularly leaves his duty of reserve. How much longer ? https://t.co/uLS84Dw1RE
Aurélien Taché (@Aurelientache) April 3, 2020" These utterly stupid words are moreover a coldness and a wickedness which give nausea ", denounces the president of the National Rally Marine Le Pen.
There are, in intensive care, police and nursing staff without adequate protection, cashiers, elderly people in EHPAD. These utterly stupid words are moreover of a coldness and a nastiness which give nausea. MLP # COVID19 #Lallement pic.twitter.com/w82CQhFNaC
Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) April 3, 2020The deputy LR of the Alpes-Maritimes Eric Ciotti deplores " revolting and deeply inhuman words ".
Revolting and deeply inhuman words from the Paris Prefect of Police!
A @CCastaner reaction or do you endorse?
Thoughts for victims ... https://t.co/t4S0mIiCt6
" The prefect Lallement has become the prefect of the insanities ", adds the ecologist David Belliard.
The prefect Lallement became the prefect of the insanities. Has he only thought of caregivers, cleaners, cashiers, those who are forced to work and who are sick today?
pic.twitter.com/1daN3pV3YC
On the left, the leader of La France insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, sees in him the " grimacing face of the regime " while the deputy Clémentine Autain affirmed that " the demand for his resignation, he has looked for it ".
Beyond the limits there is no longer a limit. See the prefect #Lallement, grimacing face of the regime. For him, those who are sick or who died have looked for it! Disgusting. The state of health emergency must not have this insulting face. People must be respected! pic.twitter.com/7FuyJ8nSh8
Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) April 3, 2020The demand for his resignation, he looked for it. # Lallement pic.twitter.com/M6eKusIsVi
Clementine Autain (@Clem_Autain) April 3, 2020If all are in unison, it is because Didier Lallement is not in the habit of doing half measures. He had already been severely criticized during the movement against pension reform. About the yellow vests, he had launched to a demonstrator: “ We are not in the same camp, madam . "
At a press conference, Prefect Lallement said he understood the reactions to his remarks. He said he regretted them and apologized. Finally, he recalled the mission entrusted by the Minister of the Interior: "to protect the citizens ".
"What matters in the difficult situation we are going through is national unity", calls Didier Lallement who assures that he will continue his mission "with seriousness and confidence". pic.twitter.com/m5OcvhED4S
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