Inflammatory controversy

The case of Nadika Stephen that will be in court on Thursday is an interesting one because highlights the identity of the people living on the French side and the cultural differences with the forces – like the Gendarmerie and the Police Aux Frontieres – that control them.

Islanders like Stephen – and many others with her – do not consider themselves French even though they carry a French passport. Before everything else, they consider themselves Martinois.

While this is not the subject of the court case – the authorities accuse Stephen of using a racial slur during a protest stages to demand the release of her son – the Soualiga Grassroots Movement has made this the central issue.

Furthermore, the movement considers it a black and white issue – a racial controversy that has the potential to become inflammatory if the court ruling goes the wrong way.

There is therefore every reason to keep an eye on the outcome of this trial that has been dragging through the court since last year.