Livre blanc. Alger, le 26 mars 1962 : la fusillade de la rue d’Isly

80 dead, 200 injured – this is the toll of the shooting on Rue d Isly, in Algiers, on March 26, 1962. The second reissue of the Livre interdit – Livre blanc includes the statements of 151 witnesses to these events. And then, with the suddenness of a lightning bolt, the terrible drama broke out. An extremely intense barrage of fire rained down on us, on all of us who were there. I saw several Muslim soldiers on the sidewalk. But I was only watching one of them. Each time a cry of pain rose from that mass of prostrate bodies, this Muslim soldier, wearing the French uniform, while sneering and insulting, directed the fire of his submachine gun toward the place where the cry of pain seemed to come from. Did the bullet that had just struck my wife come from his weapon? (Alfred MESQUIDA, schoolteacher) Suddenly, without any warning or provocation, the C.R.S. lay flat on their stomachs in a firing position under their vehicles, and intense fire was directed at the crowd. At the first bursts, two women fell. I saw the C.R.S. continuing to fire at these people without respite. (Luden PERRIN) When it was all over, I wanted to see. France had its Oradour and had built its wall of shame in blood. And I was ashamed for France. I want my voice to be heard. I want our leaders to know that there was no provocation, no seditious cry and that, on the contrary, this parade began in calm and dignity. I swear it on my honor. (Mrs. Albert MARGAILLAN)