On the 19th July 2016, Adama Traore died in police custody after trying to avoid a stop
and search in Beaumont-sur-Oise, north of Paris
Initial reports claimed that he had died from a heart attack and a severe blood infection,
that he had cannabis and alcohol in his system but his family have been fighting to reveal
a truth that they believe has been hidden.
Adama’s family wanted a second autopsy and went to the police station the day after his
death to stage a peaceful protest.
In the days following his death, the authorities then tried to return the body to the family.
Toxicology reports for cannabis and alcohol came back negative
Support for the family grew through social media. Hashtags related to Adama’s case
have frequently been trending around key moments in this story.
Experienced activists have been involved in strategies behind this from the beginning.
And why to people want there to be a discussion in the Anglophone world?
What does that mean for the story itself?
Adama’s older sister Assa has become the main spokesperson for the family’s battle.
As well as dealing with journalists, lawyers and supporters of the family’s struggle,
Assa also has three young children under the ages of 10.
With awareness of the family’s case spreading through social media and the local community,
public support was steadily growing.
However, this support wasn’t always shared by local authorities...
After this interview was broadcast, Mayor Nathalie Groux threatened to sue Assa for
€30,000 citing defamation.
The family were greeted by a heavy police presence, and refused access to the meeting,
which is usually open to local citizens.
Six days after the council meeting and subsequent raids in Beaumont, the police arrested Adama’s
brothers Bagui and Youssouf for allegedly abusing the police when they tried to gain
access to the council meeting.
At the tribunal, eight police officers testified against the them, eleven other witnesses made up of
journalists and community members said that they had seen no violence from the part
of the brothers.
Youssouf was found guilty and given a three month suspended sentence and a €2,000 fine.
Bagui was also found guilty and given eight months in prison, a €5,000 fine and banned
from living in Beaumont for two years.
Following the conviction of the two Traore brothers, Youssoupha, a well known musician
in France, offered to help the family stage a concert in order to cover some of their legal fees.
The concert was the first time that so many high profile artists had come together
to highlight a death in police custody and tickets completely sold out.
After having spent three weeks in prison, Adama’s brother Youssouf worked behind the
scenes to make sure that the concert ran smoothly.
Adama’s case has thrown the issue of police brutality in France back in the spotlight.
But, on the same night as the concert, 4 police officers violently arrested a young black
man called Theo* in the suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois, Paris.
They have since been suspended and one has been charged
with anally raping Theo with his baton.
In an unprecedented move, French President Francois Hollande visited Theo in hospital,
in the hope that it would prevent a backlash.
It didn’t work.
The 11th February saw one of the biggest riots in France since 2005.
With a Presidential election looming in May, an ascendant far right has picked it’s side.
An average of 15 people die every year at the hands of the French police, Adama and now Theo have become
symbols of a divided France, pitting state against citizen.
Assa and her family are appealing Bagui’s conviction, and Adama’s case will open later this year.