HERO

Here is a picture I found on the New-York Times on the 4th of October. What do you see on the picture? In the middle there are two young men crossing a road. In the background a nice, sunny, landscape .Do you know where this photo was taken ? It was taken in a French village called Breil-sur-Roya close to the Italian border.

This village is also the place where a part of my family comes from.

For several months now Breil-sur-Roya has been criticized, glorified, supported by the entire world… Why? Because a man, Cédric Herrou, a 37-year-old farmer helps his guests, all migrants from Africa, to cross the Italian border into France. Some of these people want to stay in France but most want to go to England or Germany. The goal of M. Herrou is to sneak them to a train station so that they could continue their journey.

I’ve discovered while reading the press that dozens of people in need where sleeping in a house neighbouring my vacation home! How can you have normal holidays without helping when you’re aware of this?!

I’ve also learnt thanks to village’s gossip that M. Herrou (who is the best eggs seller ever J) was arrested for the “illegal transportation of people across the state border”. 

M.Herrou response was an accusation against the General Council of “non-assistance to minors in danger”. 

How is it possible to be accused by your own country when you’re just trying to help people who need help?

This man is a local hero to some and a scofflaw to others and I’m proud of this small village which is acting at his own little level but still acting !

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/world/europe/france-italy-migrants-smuggling.html?_r=0