Commemoration of the state crime committed in the heart of Paris on October 17, 1961
The Algerian War of Independence was nearing its victorious conclusion when, on October 17, 1961, a massacre was perpetrated by the French police on the orders of the authorities against thousands of Algerian men and women who were demonstrating peacefully in Paris against the racist curfew that had been imposed on them by the government of the time.
This state crime remains too often obscured and too rarely taught.Recognition of the October 17, 1961 massacre as a state crime cannot remain an ignored issue: it is a necessary political and democratic act.
As the 2027 presidential election approaches, we expect all those who claim to exercise the highest responsibilities tomorrow to take a clear position on this dark episode of the Fifth Republic.
It is more important than ever to look our history in the face.
One cannot claim to be a truly egalitarian Republic without recognizing the crimes committed in its name, nor without questioning the legacies that continue to weigh on the relationship with populations stemming from post-colonial immigration.
We protest:
- Against the hateful declarations of hatred towards Algerians expressed by candidates for the 2027 presidential election, whether they come from the far right or elsewhere. They reflect the resurgence of the worst racist ideas of the proponents of French Algeria and the criminal extremists of the OAS whom some seek to rehabilitate.
- Against the systematic increase in obstacles to the movement of people between Algeria and France and the worsening of the conditions of stay for Algerians, like those of other foreigners in France.
Let us mobilize to achieve the demands of Col170ct61:
• The recognition of the October 17 massacre as a state crime.
• In the interest of transparency regarding our history and recognition of the facts, free access to the archives of the Algerian War.
• That research on these historical and memorial issues be encouraged without interference from political powers.
• That in order to promote transmission to new generations, a national museum of the history of colonialism be created in France, and that this period of our common history be taught fairly.
• In the interest of transparency regarding our history and recognition of the facts, free access to the archives of the Algerian War.
• That research on these historical and memorial issues be encouraged without interference from political powers.
• That in order to promote transmission to new generations, a national museum of the history of colonialism be created in France, and that this period of our common history be taught fairly.
We call on the citizens of this country and all progressive, political, trade union, and associative organizations to join the various initiatives taking place this October 17, 2026, in Thiais, in Paris, and in the rest of France.
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1) At the Thiais cemetery at 2:00 PM
Division 97 (the place where about a hundred victims of the October 17, 1961 massacre were buried).
From Paris, take Metro line 14, Chevilly-Larue station.
2) For the demonstration, departure in front of the Grand REX Cinema (Bonne Nouvelle metro station) at 4:30 PM.
Planned arrival around 6:30 PM at the Pont Saint-Michel, with the throwing of flowers and speeches. (Exact route pending prefectural authorization).
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Many other initiatives will take place on that day (or around it); see the website 17Octobre61.fr
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