Séverine, the mother of Lucas – this teenager who committed suicide on January 7 against the background of school harassment – spoke publicly to the press for the first time this Monday in Epinal. As a prelude to his intervention, his lawyer clarified the family’s instructions for the white march dedicated to the teenager, scheduled for next Sunday.
Séverine, the mother of young Lucas who committed suicide on January 7 in Epinal, gave a press conference on Monday in this capital of the Vosges. In particular, it was a question of specifying the actions planned in order to celebrate the memory of this 13-year-old teenager, who killed himself pushed to the limit by school harassment against a background of homophobia to which he was subjected.
After the bereaved family announced Saturday the organization of a white march next Sunday in Epinal, the lawyer who represents her demanded that the procession escape any “recovery”, and that the event not serve to fuel the debate of society.
“Calm and respect” but “no distinctive sign”
Facing journalists, lawyer Catherine Faivre first pointed out:
“Today, the family has one wish: to be able to honor the memory of their son who has tragically disappeared while awaiting this trial and this will be done in particular through a white march which has been announced and will be organized in Epinal, this Sunday 5 February, at 2 p.m., Place Foch”.
She then signified: “A request is made: calm and respect.” A double requirement which would not tolerate, she resumed, any “voyeurism” and “any distinctive sign of any kind whatsoever”, not even directed “against harassment under the LGBT movement”.
The wish of Séverine and her family is to see “a benevolent neutrality” surrounding the procession summarized Catherine Faivre, adding: “It is not a question of recovering the death of Lucas but of honoring his memory”. “The mother is particularly keen on it,” she insisted.
“The time to fight against bullying will come”
However, the family does not rule out the societal issues raised by the suicide of the teenager, but they intend to seize it later.
“The time for the fight against harassment and all forms of discrimination, for the freedom to be, to live and simply be oneself will also come through actions that we are going to build”, thus extended the lawyer. .
Catherine Faivre mentioned future initiatives relating to “information, training and prevention” and which “will be useful so that this death is not in vain and to give meaning to what is absolutely unbearable”.
Then speaking, Lucas’ mother notably pointed to the need for increased school vigilance, believing that “the school should have done more”. On the judicial side, four college students accused of harassing Lucas will soon be presented in juvenile court.
