In a statement released this Friday, October 30, 2026, Louis Aliot forcefully denounced what he calls the 'ideological crusade' by certain teachers' unions against the homage to the 'Morts pour la France', established in schools from CM1 (equivalent to 5th grade) by a circular dated July 2, 2026. This circular requests students to observe a few minutes of silence before the flag, listen to the Marseillaise, and learn about the sacrifice of those who fell for France to remain free, around November 11th.
The mayor sharply criticized the union reactions, labeling their statements as 'hints of disturbing patriotism,' 'glorification of war,' 'militaro-patriotic catechism,' and 'propaganda.' For Aliot, these words are 'indecent' towards the soldiers and resistance fighters, as well as towards 'Aimé Giral and his friends from USAP who died for France.'
He believes these unions harbor defiance, contempt, and shame towards French history, considering a child waving a tricolor flag suspicious and a police officer in uniform a threat. According to him, remembering the price of shed blood is the best defense of peace and precisely what this is about: celebrating peace, giving a compass and pride back to a people cut off from its memory.
Louis Aliot expresses outrage that some are calling for a boycott of the ceremony, arguing that civil servants paid by the Nation should not turn their backs on the homage rendered to the dead. He asserts that children should not pay for their ideology and that taxes should not support militants.
Consequently, the mayor announces he will be 'particularly vigilant' to ensure the ceremony takes place in all schools in Perpignan, without hindrance or boycott. He concludes that children have the right to know their history and to thank those who died so they could live free.
