Toulouse Gunman: Schizophrenic or Islamist?

A gunman reported to have taken four hostages in a Toulouse bank today is claiming to be a member of al-qaeda, whereas the local authorities claim that he is suffering from "schizophrenia." The Daily Telegraph reports that three gunshots have been heard, but thankfully there has been no news of injuries or fatalities.

The gunman himself - "Boumaza" - claims that he has taken the hostages for "religious" rather than financial reasons, so it can only be hoped that French police manage to bring this situation to a swift and safe conclusion, given the favoured Islamic method of executing hostages. One hostage was released earlier this afternoon.  At the time of writing, Boumaza is not reported to have made any specific demands, which perhaps lends credence to the official line that he is suffering from schizophrenia. His sister, who is helping police with negotiations, says that her brother reacted very negatively to being taken into social care as a child, becoming angry with and fearful of the outside world.

UPDATE
According to Lenta.ru, the gunman has been arrested after an exchange of fire during which he was wounded. None of the hostages are said to have been harmed. A video report from the scene can be viewed below.

Police in Toulouse

What happened to the Grand Apéritif Républicain?

Reports on yesterday evening’s series of French anti-Islamisation demonstrations planned for Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulon and Toulouse reveal that turnout was disappointingly low, ranging from perhaps 300 in Paris to a meagre 20 or so at other locations (circa 60 in Lyon according to the police). Understandably, the Bivouac-ID blog, which was one of the main backers of the protest, indignantly asked its readers “but where were you?”

Bivouac-ID, resolutely anti-Islamisation and attracting a readership of thousands every day, was quite right to chastise its readers for their apathy despite their vocal cyber-support. This of course is not a phenomenon unique to France. Whereas in the past we had ‘armchair generals’ we now have so many ‘internet warriors’. If this sense of dissatisfaction does not translate itself into some form of practical political action such as protest or support for political parties that oppose Islamisation it is not exactly productive.

Other than apathy, some have speculated that many potential protesters may have been deterred from participating by fear of leftist counter-demonstrators and the police. In Toulouse, as can be seen in the video below, circa 100 demonstrators from ‘MRAP’ (Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l'amitié entre les peuples) forced the 20 or so anti-Islamists to cut short their protest. MRAP is very much in the mould of UAF in the UK, sharing ideological positions and strong links to communist parties. As in the UK, French anti-Islamists are thus routinely smeared as ‘racist’ and ‘far-right’.



This photograph from Lyon shows a small group of demonstrators in the centre of the city.

The following report from Paris features an interview with protest organiser Christine Tasin of Résistance Républicaine.



Although yesterday evening’s protest yielded disappointing numbers, it at least demonstrated that there are many dedicated people in France who are determined to stem and reverse the tide of Islamisation that threatens to engulf their country and culture. Hopefully, next time that such protests are held, those who had lent their vocal support to the Grand Apéritif Républicain but stayed at home will make an effort to show their solidarity to the cause and take to the streets.

Grand Apéritif Républicain Protest Grows

The French Grand Apéritif Républicain anti-Islamisation campaign is growing. Originally it had been intended to hold its composite apéros républicains in five locations: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Strasbourg and Toulouse, but now Toulon has also been added to the list. As you can see from the poster above, it looked as if Aix was also to host a protest, but this now appears to have been cancelled.

For English speakers holidaying in France, why not turn up at 6pm on Saturday 4 September and join the locals in condemning the Islamisation of France. The protest’s organiser, Christine Tasin of Résistance Républicaine, lists the rendezvous points as follows, but warns that locations may be subject to change if the local authorities so decree:

Paris, place de la Bourse.

Bordeaux, attention, changement de lieu. Devant le 1, Cours Xavier Arnozan (Angle du Cours Xavier Arnozan et du Quai des Chartrons) - Et non plus place Gambetta comme prévu.

Lyon, place Bellecour, à côté de la statue de Louis XIV

Strasbourg, Parc de l’Orangerie (face au Conseil de l’Europe)

Toulon, place de la Liberté

Toulouse, Prairie des Filtres (Près du Pont-Neuf et du Cours Dillon).