Thousands of people marched through the streets of Châteauroux on Saturday 4 May to pay tribute to Matisse, a 15-year-old teenager who tragically died at the hands of another young man, and to demonstrate their rejection of violence

According to the Indre prefect, quoted by H24 MEDIA, nearly 8,000 people took part in the march, which was organised as a way of ‘remembering’.

At the initiative of the family, a large number of citizens, as well as political representatives, marched through the streets of the Indre town. At the head of the silent procession, Matisse’s parents carried a banner bearing the image of their son, an apprentice chef at the CFA.

Restaurant professionals in Châteauroux felt the need to take action as most of the shops were closed and displaying photos of the teenager or the otter, the nickname given to Matisse by his father. Delphine Chambonneau, owner of the Albert Coffee shop, explained: ‘We all know each other. We all have a link with this family’. A T-shirt bearing the words ‘Restaurateurs et cafetiers unis dans la douleur / Repose en paix Matisse’ was made as a sign of solidarity.

Among the tributes to Matisse was one from his former lover, who said: ‘I don’t want to forget you. And I don’t want you to have died for nothing’.

Despite an appeal from Matisse’s father to avoid any political recuperation, a small far-right group unfurled banners outside the town hall with slogans such as ‘Justice for Matisse’ and ‘Wake up French’.

The Indre prefect, Thibault Lanxade, reported that the operation was ‘very quick’ and was claimed by the ‘Animus Fortis’ group on its X account.

The 15-year-old suspect has been charged with ‘murder’ and remanded in custody, while his 37-year-old mother, suspected of slapping the injured victim, has been charged with ‘deliberate violence’ against a ‘vulnerable person’.