Six years on, his name remains linked to a wound that refuses to heal. Samuel Paty was simply doing his job: imparting knowledge, explaining, and teaching people how to think. For doing so, he was singled out, harassed and subjected to hatred. Then a terrorist killed him. No tribute can repair what has been destroyed; no anniversary should allow us to forget the chain of events that led to the crime.
The courts have sentenced those tried for their role in this case. In March 2026, on appeal, four defendants received sentences ranging from six to fifteen years’ imprisonment, some of which were reduced compared with the initial verdict. But a court ruling does not bring an end to our duty to remember. It also serves as a reminder that words, accusations hurled online and hate campaigns can have terrible consequences. lemonde.fr
Today, Samuel Paty would have been 53 years old. He might have continued to teach, to prepare his lessons, to spark discussions in his classroom. Instead, we are left with his absence and the responsibility to defend schools, freedom of expression and those who bring them to life.
Remembering Samuel Paty is not just about saying his name on the anniversary of his death. It is about refusing to let fear silence teachers.
It is about conveying the facts, without distorting or erasing them. Neither forgetting nor forgiving.
