The far-left and pro-immigration Education League has announced the closure of a social center in the multicultural 15th arrondissement of Marseille, following a series of violent incidents targeting employees.
The La Solidarité social center will permanently close its doors after a series of temporary closures due to violence against staff and the infiltration of local drug trafficking networks.
A notice posted on the center’s walls informed residents of the closure, stating: “Following repeated attacks, the La Solidarité social center will remain closed. We will soon inform you of a date for the organization of an information meeting.”
The closure follows an alarming pattern of violence, the most recent incident occurring last Thursday. Two employees were reportedly threatened by a group of young people demanding access to the center’s facilities to host a private event. When denied, tensions escalated, adding to the already hostile environment surrounding the center.
In addition, the center’s new director has been personally targeted with her car’s tires being slashed multiple times and derogatory graffiti directed at her. Several staff members, citing concerns for their safety, have taken sick leave. These incidents ultimately led the Education League to take action.
“For the administrators of a popular education movement, it is a difficult decision,” stated Karim Touche, director of the Bouches-du-Rhône Education League, in an interview with MarsActu. “But our primary mission is to protect employees.”
This closure is not the first; the center had faced temporary shutdowns before due to similar issues, but the situation escalated, particularly with the influence of a nearby drug trafficking network creating an untenable environment. Despite efforts to mitigate tensions, the risks to staff became insurmountable, leading to the decision to close the center indefinitely.
Ahmed Heddadi, the deputy mayor responsible for social centers, expressed his regret over the closure and has requested a meeting with the regional prefect to address the broader security concerns in the area. While the social center has ceased operations, two structures — a nursery and a reading area —will remain open for now.
