Trappes: racist attack kills one, solidarity gatherings planned across France
A racist attack on 23 October in Trappes killed Pengo Bossio Wangi and wounded five people. Solidarity gatherings are being organised in several cities, including Avignon.
Gatherings in tribute to victims of Trappes attack
According to BFM TV, a civic gathering is being held on Monday 26 October at 18:30 outside the prefecture of Vaucluse in Avignon to denounce the racist terrorist attack carried out in Trappes (Yvelines) on 23 October. The Human Rights League (LDH) Avignon-Orange-Carpentras and the Movement Against Racism and for Friendship Between Peoples (MRAP) launched this appeal, relayed by Dauphiné Libéré.
These organisations are also inviting residents of cities across France to mobilise to pay tribute to the victims. Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26, was killed in the attack. Five other people were seriously wounded, including a 12-year-old child whose condition required emergency care.
The attack and investigation
The attacker opened fire last Friday in two communes in Yvelines. The main suspect, identified as Kevin T., was apprehended shortly after the incident. His custody was suspended for psychiatric reasons. According to initial investigation findings, the shooter deliberately targeted individuals because of their skin colour and supposed religion.
The National Counter-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) is leading the investigation. The head of state confirmed that this was a terrorist attack committed "on the basis of racist ideology".
Call for unity against racism
In a statement published on its Facebook account, the LDH in Vaucluse calls for refusing "silence, indifference and the normalisation of racism". "Racism kills. Islamophobia kills. Words arm hatred," the organisation added, calling for mobilisations across the country to mark the rejection of these acts of violence.
Source: BFM TV