Immigrants demonstrate against Racism in Corsica
Morocco-France, Local, 12/7/2004

Some 300 people took to the streets, Saturday in Sart�ne (in the French region of Corsica), to demonstrate against racism after several attacks targeted the North African community living in the island.

The demo started from the house of the Moroccan imam, Mohamed El-Atrache, who survived on the night of 27 November 2004 a murder attempt.

His house, which includes a prayer room, was attacked by a group of armed men who fired five to six shots into the door. The imam was not injured.

Vice governor of Ajaccio, Simon Renucci, was among demonstrators who marched silently, carrying no slogans.

President of the Communist group at Corsica Assembly, Dominique Bucchini, said the demo is meant to "show that there are still democrats in Corsica that refuse the blackmail of bombs and racist violence."

Amnesty International has called the French authorities to take swift legal action against perpetrators of the new wave of racist violence against North Africans in Corsica.

"French authorities must make it their priority to bring the perpetrators of racist attacks promptly to justice" said the London-based organization.

The new attacks is the last of several to have been reported in the island's recent history. The acts of violence include bomb attacks on houses, offices and vehicles. According to reports, some members of the Moroccan community have felt under such threat that they have left, while others are planning to leave the island.

Previous Stories:
  Amnesty International calls for swift legal action against authors of racist violence in Corsica   (12/6/2004)
  Moroccan government calls for restraint, dialogue following murder attempt against Imam in Corsica   (12/1/2004)
  France mobilizes prefects against racism following murder attempt of Moroccan imam   (12/1/2004)

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