The mayor of Roubaix, David Guiraud, belonging to the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party, has refused to name a school after Samuel Paty, the teacher murdered in 2020 after displaying cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The decision followed a debate during a municipal council meeting where the majority voted against a proposal put forward by the opposition. The majority faction characterized the naming request as a “political maneuver.” The opposition expressed disappointment and criticized the mayor’s decision, arguing it was a missed opportunity to honor Paty’s memory and reaffirm the values of the Republic. The debate highlights ongoing tensions surrounding freedom of speech and the commemoration of the teacher’s death. The mayor reportedly stated the opposition had “six years” to make the request, implying a lack of genuine intent. The refusal has sparked controversy and drawn attention to the political climate in Roubaix.