Ousmane Dia (right) presented the book about his son Sanda on Monday evening. — © rr, Dirk Waem
Crimi
Borgerhout –
A week after the conviction and ditto fuss surrounding influencer Acid, Ousmane ‘Papis’ Dia presented his book on Monday evening. “Belgium gave me everything, Reuzegom took everything from me.”
Not a seat remained empty in the De Roma concert hall. More than 1,250 people came to Borgerhout to listen to Papis Dia’s personal story. The father of Sanda (20), who died in tragic circumstances at the end of December 2018, presented his book ‘They killed my son’. Singer-songwriter Meskerem Mees provided the musical setting.
The title of the book seems legally incorrect, because Sanda was not murdered by the Reuzegommers. The “they” in the title also refers to “society.” A society that could not save the promising engineering student.
Dia, a former welder at DAF Oevel, wrote his personal story, his fight for #JusticeforSanda. The result is a monologue about love for Sanda, a life without hate, about the children of the Flemish elite, about what he calls class justice, and about the role of KU Leuven. He also writes extensively about his own journey that started in Senegal. “What have I learned in recent years? That anger and hatred will get you nowhere.”
(read more below the photo)
© BELGIUM
Acid
Dia also addressed the fuss surrounding influencer Acid in recent days and weeks. The young man was convicted of distributing the personal information of several Reuzegommers, and wants to donate what remains of the many donations from his fans – who want to contribute to paying his compensation – to the Sanda Dia Foundation.
“There are many acids in our society,” says father Dia. “But not everyone has the resources to do something like that. In the short conversation with Acid via FaceTime on Sunday, I learned that he is a young guy with a good heart. What he has done is a very clear signal.” This was followed by loud applause.
“There is a big gap,” said Makemu Meunier, Papis Dia’s wife. “It is a socially supported feeling. People who haven’t studied law don’t understand Justice. Then people don’t feel safe.”
(wife, jvh)