HELLO, EVERYONE!’
The ultimate goal of any public policy is to reduce violence.
We have already had occasion to point this out: the elections themselves—which are organized with far too much public money—unleash violence and place people who are accustomed to such violence at the helm of our democracies.
Here, the record for verbal abuse was set in Fort-de-France when, in 1977, the campaign organizers for one of the candidates, Aimé Césaire, felt justified in comparing his opponent, Léon-Laurent Valère, to an orangutan named King Kong.
Physical violence reached its peak the following year with the assassination—again in Fort-de-France—of Théolien Jalta, head of security for Aimé Césaire’s opponent, Michel Renard.
We are now being told that our Executive Council president allegedly used verbal and physical violence against one of his employees—who himself had engaged in written abuse—during a union meeting held within the CTM itself.
A former drug dealer is officially leading the fight against the high cost of living, followed by numerous protesters; Let us remind those who may have forgotten that drug use—fueled by the drug trade—kills thousands of people every day and ruins the lives of millions more, especially young people, around the world.
At the same time, stores, homes, and vehicles are being set on fire, and law enforcement officers are being fired upon with live ammunition.
The situation is clear: Martinique is becoming increasingly plagued by gang activity.
According to official crime statistics, in 2023 we ranked among the top three most violent regions in France in terms of the number of deaths caused by knives or firearms.
This affects all of us.
Not only are the current disturbances exacerbating the economic hardships faced by those who are not protected by their employment status, but they also threaten the freedom and security of everyone.
The solution?
In addition to greater effectiveness on the part of the authorities responsible for our security—with stronger commitment and additional resources—the path forward is clear:
Finally, implement what the law has required for many years: the joint development, under the auspices of the CTM, of a development plan for Martinique that incorporates our own approaches to combating inequalities: inequality in employment, purchasing power, education, transportation, housing, etc.
With specific, time-bound, and monitored goals.
The stubborn refusal of our elected officials, for more than 40 years, to carry out this independent and essential work of planning and organization in a region still deeply scarred by the legacy of a very particular form of colonization leaves the door wide open to all forms of violence and inequality.
LET'S GO FOR IT!
Maurice Laouchez
