MISUNDERSTANDING By asking for a monthly rent from MaMaMa, which until then had been housed free of charge, the town hall of Saint-Denis unleashed an open war with the association which comes to helping women and children in precarious situations
In the Lyons office of the MaMaMa association, which fights against child precariousness distributing children’s clothing, November 12, 2020. — AFP
We can speak of a real showdown. While the MaMaMa association, created in emergency in May 2020 and which works against precariousness, child, graciously occupied a room, she has just filed a complaint in particular for “passive corruption” and moral harassment against the mayor of Saint-Denis, with whom she is in open conflict over the occupation of her premises.
Founded to bring basic necessities to single mothers and young children, the association occupies a warehouse of approximately 1,500 m2 which has been updated. available to; free of charge by the city of Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) and the company; of mixed economy Plaine Commune Development. But since the beginning of the year, the municipality led by the socialist Mathieu Hanotin asks him to pay a monthly rent of 18,000 euros to continue to work. legally occupy the premises.
Eviction proceedings launched in October
“This is a sum that we cannot raise,” lamented Magali Bragard, one of the four co-founders of MaMaMa, on Wednesday. The warehouse is “the object of greed and political negotiations”, assure the co-founders, who say they have been “intimidated” and “sexist slurs”. After months of dispute, an eviction procedure was initiated. launched in October. Next step: an interim hearing is to be held on January 13 at the Bobigny court.
“ we want to recover our premises to install associations and companies close to the municipal team,” Magali Bragard.
MaMaMa filed; two complaints aimed in particular at the mayor of Saint-Denis, one for passive corruption and influence peddling, the other for moral harassment and threats. The procedure is “under review,” the Bobigny public prosecutor’s office.
Aborted mediation
For its part, the municipality denounced “a smear campaign” “No other historical association has such large premises. You can’t break free from laws and rules even though you are defending a worthy cause,” the first deputy, Katy Bontinck. “We have a responsibility. Legal,” the elected official, who ensured have tried in vain a mediation.
Nearly 70,000 women and children in precarious situations took advantage of in donations since the creation of MaMaMa, according to the association.