Hundreds march for Adama Traoré on 10th anniversary of his death, as family seeks European justice
Hundreds gathered in Persan and Beaumont-sur-Oise on Saturday to mark a decade since Adama Traoré died in police custody, as his family vowed to take their fight to the European Court of Justice after French courts closed the case.
A decade of mourning
On 19 July 2016, Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old black man, died after being arrested by gendarmes in Beaumont-sur-Oise. Ten years later, on Saturday 4 July 2026, hundreds of people marched from Persan to Beaumont-sur-Oise in a calm and festive atmosphere, chanting "Justice for Adama, we do not forget" and "No justice, no peace". Organisers also read out the names of others killed or injured by law enforcement in recent years. Earlier in the day, a plaque bearing Adama Traoré's name was installed near the town hall where he was arrested.
The French justice system said there was a dismissal, but we all know the truth. We know these gendarmes are responsible for Adama Traoré's death.
Legal dead end
In early 2026, the Cour de cassation confirmed the non-lieu (dismissal) in favour of the gendarmes, making the decision definitive. The family has consistently rejected that outcome. Assa Traoré, who has become a leading figure in the fight against police violence in France, addressed the crowd in front of the gendarmerie where her brother died.
We have taken ten years and we will take ten more to lead other fights, to continue the struggle.
European appeal
With French legal avenues exhausted, the family now hopes to obtain a condemnation of France before the European Court of Justice. The march served as both a commemoration and a launchpad for that next phase.
- Adama Traoré dies after arrest by gendarmes in Beaumont-sur-Oise
- Cour de cassation confirms non-lieu, ending French legal proceedings
- Plaque with Adama Traoré's name installed near Beaumont-sur-Oise town hall
- Hundreds march; Assa Traoré announces family will seek condemnation of France at European court
A law that alarms
The gathering was overshadowed by a proposed law from the Les Républicains (LR) party that would establish a presumption of legitimate use of weapons by law enforcement. The bill caused strong concern among participants. Assa Traoré warned that such a law would lead to more deaths.
There are still Adama Traorés! There have been deaths after Adama Traoré and there will be more deaths.
LFI deputy Éric Coquerel, who joined the march alongside several left-wing elected officials, called for mobilisation to block the legislation. A petition urging deputies to reject the bill was also circulated.
If this law passes, it will no longer be dozens of deaths we mourn, but hundreds.
