Hi Val,
Greetings from snowy, icey Brussels.
The marche blanche is the name given to a protest movement which started at the time of the Dutroux affaire in Belgium and following on with the arrest of several paedophiles. This popular movement lead to a demonstration which brought together more than 650 000 people in Bruxelles in 1996.
Since this time the expression "marche blanche" has been taken up by journalists and some associations and the local population to describe simply a "marche silencieuse" (silent march) or support or protest organised around the death of a victim. This is mainly when the victim is a child or an adolescent.
Does that help?
Cheers,
Celia
Val says I asked her if she knew why they had chosen those words and she replied.
Well, according to my source which is Wikipedia, the colour white and the silence (no slogans) are the only instuctions given by the organisers (of the first marche blanche in Belgium), white was chosen as the symbol of neutrality, dignity, hope and innocence.
(Children's coffins are white, usually)
Will you be going? I'm sure it will be very moving.
Val says Not sure if we are going but it would be good to honour the victims - Sunday 17th Toulouse 16h with Francois Hollande and local school children reading poetry.
