Julien Sanchez, FN mayor of Beaucaire, was called to appear in court by Muslim storekeepers who consider two bylaws which call for closing stores at night in certain parts of the town to be “discriminatory.”
The trial is set for September 1 said Abdallah Zekri, president of the National Conservatory Against Islamophobia.
The summons challenges:
-The order of June 16 “prohibiting grocery stores, markets, and businesses from distribution between 11:00 pm and 8:00 am,” which “lie inside the downtown area.”
-The order of June 17 “prohibiting all shops” from operating from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am on two of the city’s streets.
“It should be noted that these municipal orders concern shopkeepers of North African origin, adhering to the Muslim religion,” states the summons, adding that the “period of the bylaws,” until October 31, “covers the period of Ramadan and more generally the summertime, which represents the most important commercial activity for the businesses concerned.”
Questioned by AFP, mayor Julien Sanchez denies any discrimination, stating that the requests were initiated by residents in the area areas who complained of noise and nighttime disturbances.
“This issue does not faze me. It only serves to guarantee peace for residents in terms of noise and alcohol,” he affirmed.
