Martinique's fight for justice: Rodrigue Petitot's trial sparks new battle against neocolonialism Article by The New York Carib News

Rodrigue Petitot, a prominent activist and leader of last year’s social movement in Martinique, finds himself at the heart of a contentious trial that underscores the island’s ongoing battle against economic inequality and political repression. Known as “Le R,” Petitot, 42, rose to prominence for spearheading protests against soaring living costs and systemic poverty in Martinique, where food prices are 40% higher, and poverty rates are double those found in mainland France.

The charges against Petitot stem from an incident on November 11, 2023, when he, alongside three fellow activists, allegedly unlawfully entered the governor’s residence during a meeting with France’s Overseas Territories Minister, Caliber.Az reports via The New York Carib News.

The activists, part of the “Gathering for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean People and Resources” (RPPRAC), argue that they entered the building to engage in dialogue with the minister and were allowed in by a police officer. Outside the tribunal during the two-day hearing, a sea of red-shirted supporters rallied in solidarity with Petitot, emphasizing his role as a symbol of resistance in the fight for justice in the Caribbean territory.

However, not all voices support their actions. Martinique legislator Jiovanny William, who attended the November meeting, expressed regret over the activists’ approach, saying, “They wanted to force things, but I regret that they didn’t work with parliamentarians.”

Petitot’s supporters and his legal team have framed the trial as part of a broader pattern of political repression faced by France’s overseas territories. Historian Sandrine Lemaire described the French government’s response to social movements in Martinique, New Caledonia, and other territories as “neocolonial,” highlighting the troubling practice of transferring arrested leaders to mainland France, sometimes thousands of miles away from their homes.

The accusations against Petitot have prompted harsh criticism from fellow activists like Gwladys Roger, who accused the authorities of using the legal system to stifle dissent. Roger argued, “When you want to kill a dog, you say it is rabid.” Petitot’s lawyer, Eddy Arneton, went further, framing the charges as an attack on freedom of expression, insisting that Petitot’s actions were meant to draw attention to the dire socio-economic conditions in Martinique.

The stakes for Petitot are high. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison due to previous offences. The trial follows a period of intense unrest in Martinique, where protests erupted throughout 2023, leading to curfews, widespread violence, and the destruction of over 100 businesses. The unrest, sparked by discontent over economic disparities, prompted authorities to impose a month-long curfew between October and November 2023.

Petitot’s legal troubles are not limited to this trial. In December, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison for a TikTok video in which he threatened to “attack” mayors who did not oppose the governor. While Petitot clarified that his words were not meant to incite physical violence, the sentence was later converted to home confinement.

At the heart of the unrest in Martinique is a long-standing history of economic domination by the island’s elites, particularly the descendants of French slave plantation owners, known as “békés.” These economic elites have been accused of exacerbating the island’s deep poverty by inflating prices, further fuelling resentment and tensions among the local population.

Martinique’s struggles are not unique to the island. Other French territories, such as New Caledonia and Mayotte, have also experienced periods of unrest. In New Caledonia, indigenous Kanak people protested efforts to reduce their voting rights, while a recent cyclone in Mayotte left 39 dead and thousands homeless, highlighting the broader challenges faced by France’s overseas territories.

For many in Martinique, the trial of Rodrigue Petitot is more than just a legal matter—it is a pivotal moment in the island’s decades-long struggle for equality and justice. As historian Sandrine Lemaire pointed out, the socio-economic inequalities and political repression experienced in these territories are a stark reminder that the promises made in 1946, when Martinique became an official department of France, remain unfulfilled.

By Aghakazim Guliyev