October 17, 1961...the Paris massacre, the truth of which Algeria is still demanding to reveal

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Today, Saturday, October 17, 2026, marks the 65th anniversary of the Algerian demonstrations in Paris, which turned into one of the bloodiest stations of repression during the Algerian liberation war, and the occasion has become commemorated in Algeria under the name National Immigration Day.

These demonstrations were not inside Algeria, but rather thousands of Algerians residing in France took part in them, protesting against a discriminatory curfew imposed by the Paris police on Algerians in October 1961, at a time when the Algerian revolution was entering its final year before independence.

The Algerian National Liberation Front called for a peaceful demonstration in which tens of thousands of Algerians, including women and children, participated, defying the curfew that targeted the Algerian community. But the police forces, led by Paris Police Prefect Maurice Papon, confronted the demonstrators with extreme violence, as people were beaten, arrested, and killed, and a number of victims were thrown into the Seine River.

Historical reports showed that repression was not limited to the streets, but extended to places of detention, where thousands of Algerians were arrested and transferred to various detention sites. Sources provide varying numbers regarding the number of victims, due to the blackout surrounding the events and the difficulty of determining the final toll, as historical estimates range between tens and hundreds of deaths.

The events of October 17, 1961 remained surrounded by silence and controversy in France for decades. In 2012, then-French President François Hollande acknowledged that bloody repression had occurred, and then, in 2021, Emmanuel Macron described what happened as “unforgivable for the republic.” However, demands continue for full official recognition of state responsibility for the massacre.

In a remarkable development on the eve of the 65th anniversary, reports were published on October 16, 2026 that about 30 French mayors signed an appeal demanding that the massacre be recognized as a state crime, that historical archives be made available, and that the teaching of these events be strengthened for new generations.

Algeria commemorates this occasion annually as National Immigration Day, in commemoration of the victims of repression and in appreciation of the role of the Algerian community abroad in supporting the liberation revolution. In Paris, the municipality announced the organization of a ceremony honoring the victims on October 17, 2026, confirming the continued presence of this issue in French and Algerian public memory.

Today at eleven o'clock (11:00) in the morning, a minute of silence will be observed throughout all parts of Algeria. As well as at the level of all Algerian diplomatic and consular representations abroad, out of mercy for the souls of the martyrs of the massacres of October 17, 1961.

This comes in implementation of the decision of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to establish a minute of silence every year, on October 17. In commemoration of the sacrifices of the daughters and sons of the diaspora, and in recognition of the immortal contributions they have made to the national liberation process. This is in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 21-392 dated 09 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1443, corresponding to October 16, 2021.

After 65 years, the massacre of October 17, 1961 still raises a fundamental question: Will historical recognition turn into a full official admission of responsibility, or will the truth remain distributed among archives, survivors’ testimonies, and the memory of families?