From 8 a.m., participants met in front of the town hall and then marched through the city streets. Throughout the march, placards waved numerous messages of peace: “Lanmou pa lanmò,” “Love each other,” “Las fè manman pléré,” and even “Humanity ≠ violence.”
Within the procession, the emotions were palpable. Many wanted to express their solidarity with the families of the victims.
“It was important for me, as a child of the city, to mobilize because we have all lost a loved one, a friend, a victim of violence. We are all feeling concerned today.”
Walker
Another participant explained that she came” to support the family of my friend who, unfortunately, died tragically The testimony also included the victims’ memories.
“She was funny, we played football together.”
Favorite person
“It really hurts because it can happen to all of us.”
Participant
Mayor calls for drastic measures
For the mayor of Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Jean-Philippe Courtois, the march should be a strong signal to the public authorities.
“This is an opportunity to say no to all this violence. We wanted to march loudly so that we would be noticed by the authorities, so that our police and gendarmerie would have the necessary means to stop this violence on the ground. We must also ensure that these weapons, which we do not produce in Guadeloupe, no longer fall so easily into the hands of just anyone. We can no longer tolerate watching parents cry for their children.”
Jean-Philippe Courtois, Mayor of Capesterre-Belle-Eau
The councilor also called for stronger means to combat crime, believing that local authorities do not have sufficient tools to deal with this situation.
“We want decisive decisions to be made in this territory. Systems installed in other places, especially in Marseille, should also be deployed in Guadeloupe.”
Jean-Philippe Courtois, Mayor of Capesterre-Belle-Eau
The investigation is still ongoing
According to a press release from the Pointe-à-Pitre prosecutor, at least fifteen shots were fired during the attack, which took place on June 30 in front of an office in Capesterre-Belle-Eau.
Two women, aged 31 and 38, died as a result of the shooting. One of them was the mother of a six-year-old child injured in the attack. Four people were injured, ranging in age from 6 to 71 years.
The investigation into the murders and attempted murders continues to identify those responsible and establish the exact circumstances of this tragedy.