A father apologizes to the mayor of Anjou after insulting his 15-year-old son, who came to plead with the local council about his dismay at the closure of football pitches.
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The sequence, which took place during the Anjou municipal council on Tuesday, quickly provoked outrage on social networks. We see Luis Miranda, the mayor of the district, vehemently withdrawing Hocine Ouendi, 15, who had come to ask him to reopen the synthetic soccer fields closed by the town hall at the end of August.
“I’m sorry, but you’re 15 years old, I won’t switch places with you,” replies Luis Miranda. At 15 I would never have faced the mayor. It should have been your father or mother coming before me, I have no business speaking to you. »
Smail Ouendi, Hocine’s father, says he is “shocked” by Luis Miranda’s virulence towards his son.
“He has to apologize,” says the engineer. It is not normal for a mayor to speak like this to a young person who has come to exchange views with him in a very calm manner. Instead of praising him for having the audacity to speak publicly, he yelled at him and also yelled at my wife who was with him. »
“Incomprehensible” reaction
A few days after the city council, Hocine Ouendi admitted that he still does not understand the reaction of the mayor of Anjou.
“He was acting aggressively, like he was upset that I asked him a question,” regrets the teenager. I stood in front of him to explain my demands and he lost his temper for no reason. »
Contacted by Le Journal, Luis Miranda apologized to Hocine Ouendi.
“I was tired, I shouldn’t have talked to him like that,” he admits. But I’ve already talked to these young people about closing the site and they don’t want to let go. My decision stands and will not change. »
Conclusion “possible without discussion”
Indeed, the indefinite closure of two synthetic soccer fields in Anjou on August 26 for alleged rudeness aroused the ire of several Anjou citizens.
“Overnight they closed these places frequented by many people,” Smail Ouendi regrets. Young people are encouraged not to hang out on the streets, but are unilaterally denied opportunities for sports and outdoor activities. »
“We have received too many complaints,” says the mayor of Anjou. Young people drove back to the site on scooters or left their garbage. Park rangers were intimidated. I need to maintain security so I have decided to close the site until further notice. »
A decision that was seen as radical by many regulars like Hocine Ouendi, who came to play football for almost 2 hours every day.
“I’ve been used to playing here for a few years,” explains the young resident of Anjou. I’ve noticed rudeness sometimes, but it’s very rare. Most people come to exercise for fun and a good mood. Instead of solving the problems created by a minority, we punish the vast majority of well-meaning players. »
discrimination ?
Other statements made by the mayor of Anjou during the municipal council on Tuesday are also perceived as discriminatory by several citizens.
“Everyone look at you in the mirror and then ask yourself, why do I only have problems with football and not with other sports?” Luis Miranda launched at the time to Karima Bedjou, Hocine Ouendi’s mother. “Educate your children. There are many who are uneducated. »
“We know very well that the soccer fields are frequented by many young people with a migration background,” emphasizes one parent, who asked for anonymity. With these comments he links the lack of good manners in certain immigrant communities. Even if he says it in a subliminal message, it’s discrimination. »