Politics · France · 5 hrs ago
David Lisnard says 1961 massacre is not his problem today
On 19 October, presidential candidate David Lisnard was questioned on LCI about the 17 October 1961 killings in Paris.
A student asked him what happened during the crackdown on Algerians demonstrating for independence.
Lisnard replied that he did not care and that it was not his problem today, adding that he had not been born then and Algeria had since become independent.
He later said the events were grave and dramatic, but stressed that they happened in 1961.
Historians estimate that between 30 and 200 demonstrators were killed, with many bodies thrown into the Seine, under the authority of police prefect Maurice Papon.
The killings remain part of France’s debate over its past: in 2024, the National Assembly condemned the massacre and President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the victims.
No further action or response is specified.
David Lisnard said the 17 October 1961 massacre was not his problem today during an exchange on French television.
The presidential candidate was questioned by student and influencer Lola-Fleur Whittaker on LCI on 19 October 2026.
Lisnard initially said he did not care, adding that he was not born at the time and that Algeria had since become independent.
He later called the events serious and tragic but said they were not his problem today.
Historians estimate that between 30 and 200 Algerian demonstrators were killed and their bodies thrown into the Seine.
- Who
- David Lisnard, a presidential candidate and mayor of Cannes, was questioned by student and influencer Lola-Fleur Whittaker.
- What
- Lisnard said the 17 October 1961 massacre was not his problem today, then called it serious and tragic.
- When
- 19 October 2026.
- Where
- On the LCI television programme set.
- Why
- Whittaker asked Lisnard what happened on 17 October 1961 while he was discussing violence and looting in French cities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lola-Fleur Whittaker asked Lisnard to recall what happened on 17 October 1961.
Lisnard said he did not care, noting that he was not born then and that Algeria had since become independent.
Lisnard later called the events serious and tragic but said they were not his problem today.
- Date of exchange
- 19 October 2026
- Television outlet
- LCI
- Questioner
- Lola-Fleur Whittaker
- Estimated deaths
- Between 30 and 200 Algerian demonstrators, according to historians
- French National Assembly resolution
- Approved in 2024, condemning the massacre of 17 October 1961 in Paris
3 sources
« Je m’en fous »… Interrogé sur le 17 octobre 1961, David Lisnard s’énerve
Soutien de LFI, université à 30.000 euros… Qui est Lola-Fleur Whittaker, l’étudiante dont l’échange tendu avec David Lisnard sur LCI est devenu viral?
Le maire de Cannes, David Lisnard, s'agace après avoir été interrogé sur le 17 octobre 1961 : "Je m'en fous, ce n'est pas mon problème aujourd'hui"
What people are saying
Non mais je m'en fous madame, j'en ai rien à foutre, j'en ai rien à cirer, j'étais pas né, depuis il y a eu l'indépendance de l'Algérie
C'est très grave, c'est dramatique, mais c'était en 61
pas (son) problème aujourd'hui
Est-ce que vous pouvez nous rappeler ce qu'il s'est passé le 17 octobre 1961 ?