The Suicide in Notre-Dame
On Tuesday, May 21, a suicide happened in Notre-Dame Cathedral. The incident is considered to be political and condemned by the ruling party, according to the opinion of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Ms. Le Pen heads the National Front, and she told that Dominique Venner, an award-winning far-right historian who killed himself, had sought to "wake up the people of France". Ms. Le Pen wrote on Twitter, "All respect to Dominique Venner whose final, eminently political act was to try to wake up the people of France." She later added, "It is in life and hope that France will renew and save itself." Bruno Gollnisch, another National Front member, said Mr. Venner's "dramatic act was a protest against the decay of our society". The latest blog entry of Dominique Venner condemned the government's decision to legalize gay marriage.
Mr. Venner condemned both same-sex marriage as well as all Islamist influence in France. His position was expressed in his writings which he worked on just before his death. The chief of Socialist Party Harlem Desir said that he was kind of shocked by the words of Ms.Le Pen. According to his opinion of the National Front leader, describing his death as the "gesture of a far-right marginal", the suicide seems to be justified, which is just unacceptable. Such violence was, he said, "very revealing". Mr. Desir condemned Ms. Le Pen giving an interview for French broadcaster Canal Plus. He also stated that "Now the law has been passed, opponents of marriage for everyone should understand that it is the law of the Republic."
Viewing the event of the suicide, it is necessary to note that Mr. Venner, who was 78 years old, walked up to the altar of Notre-Dame, which is one of the most-visited attractions in France, and shot himself in the mouth with a single-shot pistol. It happened on Tuesday afternoon, and was done in front of some 1,500 visitors. Later outside the cathedral about 100 sympathisers gathered to pay tribute to the former Algerian War veteran and far-right militant. He had made a career writing history books.
According to the information from the police, Mr. Venner had made no statement before killing himself. Even though a note was found right next to his body, the police did not disclose its contents. But it is a fact that just a couple of hours earlier, Mr. Venner had bitterly criticized the same-sex marriage act on his blog. He said that it was as "disastrous" for France as the prospect of Islamist rule. After his death, a friend read out a message from the dead man on a conservative radio station, Radio Courtoisie, where he used to broadcast. "I believe it is necessary to sacrifice myself to break with the lethargy that is overwhelming us," he was quoted as saying in the message. "I am killing myself to awaken slumbering consciences."
As additional information about the dead is the fact that Mr. Venner once served time in prison for his activities with the Secret Army Organisation (OAS). It was opposed Algerian independence in the early 1960s and tried to assassinate President Charles De Gaulle.
Mr. Venner condemned both same-sex marriage as well as all Islamist influence in France. His position was expressed in his writings which he worked on just before his death. The chief of Socialist Party Harlem Desir said that he was kind of shocked by the words of Ms.Le Pen. According to his opinion of the National Front leader, describing his death as the "gesture of a far-right marginal", the suicide seems to be justified, which is just unacceptable. Such violence was, he said, "very revealing". Mr. Desir condemned Ms. Le Pen giving an interview for French broadcaster Canal Plus. He also stated that "Now the law has been passed, opponents of marriage for everyone should understand that it is the law of the Republic."
Viewing the event of the suicide, it is necessary to note that Mr. Venner, who was 78 years old, walked up to the altar of Notre-Dame, which is one of the most-visited attractions in France, and shot himself in the mouth with a single-shot pistol. It happened on Tuesday afternoon, and was done in front of some 1,500 visitors. Later outside the cathedral about 100 sympathisers gathered to pay tribute to the former Algerian War veteran and far-right militant. He had made a career writing history books.
According to the information from the police, Mr. Venner had made no statement before killing himself. Even though a note was found right next to his body, the police did not disclose its contents. But it is a fact that just a couple of hours earlier, Mr. Venner had bitterly criticized the same-sex marriage act on his blog. He said that it was as "disastrous" for France as the prospect of Islamist rule. After his death, a friend read out a message from the dead man on a conservative radio station, Radio Courtoisie, where he used to broadcast. "I believe it is necessary to sacrifice myself to break with the lethargy that is overwhelming us," he was quoted as saying in the message. "I am killing myself to awaken slumbering consciences."
As additional information about the dead is the fact that Mr. Venner once served time in prison for his activities with the Secret Army Organisation (OAS). It was opposed Algerian independence in the early 1960s and tried to assassinate President Charles De Gaulle.
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