On the morning of June 8, 2025, approximately 450 people silently participated in a white march held in Marseille, dedicated to the memory of Hichem Miraoui , a forty-year-old Tunisian man who was tragically murdered by a French neighbor on May 31. This crime is being classified by authorities as both terroristic and racist in nature.
The victim’s relatives, along with Turkish neighbors who were also affected, walked under a banner that read, “Racism has killed again. Justice for Hichem.” The atmosphere was somber, reflecting the pain of the community.
Those attending the march paused for a minute of silence before chanting “Justice for Hichem!” Mouna Miraoui, the victim’s cousin, expressed her anguish, stating, “It’s despicable what has happened. We demand justice.” She continued, emphasizing the need for understanding across cultures, saying, “Just because we do not share the same nationality or religion does not justify hatred or violence.” Miraoui described her cousin as a generous soul who was fully integrated into his community. Tragically, during the final moments of his life, he was on the phone with his mother, and his last words were, “Ouch.”
A Call for Republican Awakening
Sefen Guez Guez, the attorney representing Hichem Miraoui’s family , articulated that the march represented a call for a republican awakening . He stated, “We will fight relentlessly until all responsibilities are accounted for, reaching the highest levels of the state.” Guez Guez condemned the atmosphere of racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia that he attributed to the circumstances surrounding Hichem’s death.
He further elaborated, “The murderer has undoubtedly fed off the rhetoric of politicians: when we say ‘down with the veil,’ we implicitly mean ‘down with immigrants.’ When we talk about a migratory flood, we portray outsiders as foes. This discourse places foreigners as lesser citizens, unequal to their French counterparts.” These statements highlighted the deeper societal concerns related to the crime.
This white march, attended by several La France Insoumise deputies from the region, including Manuel Bompard , Sébastien Delogu , and Raphaël Arnault , was intended to remain apolitical in nature. Another march is scheduled to take place later in the afternoon in Puget-sur-Argens .
On May 31, around 10 PM, French national Christophe Belgembe , 53, allegedly fired several shots at his neighbor Hichem Miraoui, who was sitting in his car. Prior to and subsequent to this act, he posted numerous racist videos on Facebook. He is currently incarcerated and has confessed to the crime while denying its racist implications. He has since been charged with terroristic murder due to the victim’s ethnicity.
This tragic incident has sparked significant public outcry and debate over the pervasive nature of racism and violence in contemporary society. Many are calling for deeper engagement within communities to combat such hateful ideologies. As the community mourns Hichem’s death, it stands united in a demand for justice and a commitment against racism , seeking a future where diversity is celebrated rather than condemned.