“Volunteer” call to Paris citizens

PARIS Mayor Anne Hidalgo has called on the capital’s citizens to volunteer “their skills, their energy, their kindness” to help strengthen unity in the city following the terror attacks.

The scheme would see volunteers offering academic support and taking part in “citizen forums” at schools, colleges, entertainment centres and council halls - which will be specially opened on Saturdays to provide a meeting point for residents.

It could start as early as Spring.

Ms Hidalgo told a press conference that the volunteer scheme along with a plan to introduce “citizen cards” that was announced at the same time, were intended to reaffirm the principles of freedom "that are part of the values and pillars of Paris".

She said that the citizen card would would allow Parisiens from the age of 7 years to enjoy extra benefits across the city. It would, “strengthen the sense of belonging to the Paris community and provide access to shows or events,” she said.

And she called for an “unprecedented mobilisation" to help young families or the less well-off to find a job or internship.

Denouncing "the terrorists who wanted to silence us”, she also announced a series of security measures, including a team dedicated to preventing radicalisation.

The citizen card plan has been copied from New York’s new “municipal identity card” scheme.

But the Parisian version has already been criticised "irresponsible" and "laughable" by the Front National.

Photo: ActuaLitté