French President Emmanuel Macron Condemns Ongoing Violence in France: A Call for Unity and Reflection
Hundreds arrested as France rocked by third night of fiery protests over fatal police shooting of teen
The Unacceptable Situation: Macron’s Strong Words Against Violence
In a recent statement, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condemnation of the ongoing violence in France. After three consecutive nights of nationwide protests following the tragic police shooting of a teenager, the situation has escalated to an alarming level. Macron referred to the violence as an “unacceptable situation” and highlighted the concerning involvement of young individuals.
Rejecting Violence: A Call for Meditation and Respect
President Macron firmly stated that nothing justifies violence, emphasizing the need for unity and respect during such a critical time. He acknowledged the death of the teenager as a tragic event but denounced the exploitation of this tragedy. Instead, Macron urged the nation to engage in moments of reflection and respect.
Widespread Arrests and Lingering Grievances
Overnight Thursday into Friday, 875 people were arrested, according to France’s Interior Ministry. The arrests followed a memorial march held in memory of the 17-year-old victim, identified only by his first name, Nahel. This unfortunate incident has reignited long-standing grievances concerning policing and racial profiling, particularly in France’s low-income and multiethnic suburbs.
Night of Unprecedented Violence
France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described Thursday night as a night of “rare violence.” The Ministry reported that 249 police and gendarmes suffered injuries during the unrest, although none were serious. The scale of the violence prompted a massive deployment of around 40,000 police and gendarmes, including elite Raid and GIGN units, across several cities. Curfews were imposed in municipalities around Paris, and public gatherings were banned in Lille and Tourcoing in the country’s north.
Rampant Pillaging and Damage
Despite the heightened security measures, multiple areas reported incidents of violence and damage. Rather than engaging in direct confrontations with law enforcement, protesters resorted to pillaging shops, including well-known flagship branches of Nike and Zara in Paris. Public buildings also became targets, with a police station in Pau hit by a Molotov cocktail and an elementary school and district office set on fire in Lille.
Macron’s Emergency Response
Reacting swiftly to the escalating situation, President Macron decided to cut short his trip to Brussels, where he was attending a European Union summit, in order to chair a crisis meeting addressing the violence. This emergency meeting marked the second such gathering within two days, highlighting the seriousness with which the French government views the current unrest.
A Mother’s Grief and Plea for Justice
Mounia, the mother of Nahel, spoke out in her first media interview since the shooting. She expressed her sorrow and grief but did not hold the entire police force responsible. Instead, she singled out the officer directly involved in the incident, stating that he saw her son as an Arab child and intentionally took his life. The responsible officer, a 38-year-old who was detained, has since been charged with voluntary manslaughter.
Measures to Restore Calm
In an attempt to restore calm, Paris bus and tram services were halted after 9:00 pm local time on Thursday. However, these measures, along with heightened security presence, failed to deter unrest as the night unfolded.
Spreading Unrest: Vandalism and Clashes
The unrest extended beyond the capital, with reports of vandalism and clashes in Marseille and Seine-Saint-Denis. In Marseille, a library was vandalized, and scuffles broke out when police used tear gas to disperse a group attempting to set up barricades. Seine-Saint-Denis witnessed the targeting of multiple public buildings, while in Drancy, rioters forcibly entered a shopping center, looting and setting it partially on fire. Roubaix experienced multiple fires throughout the night, including a hotel near the train station.
Preventing a Repeat of History
France finds itself grappling with the fear of a repeat of the 2005 urban riots that erupted after the death of two boys of African origin during a police chase. The government is acutely aware of the potential consequences, as those riots resulted in 6,000 arrests. President Macron has called for calm and labeled the violent protests as unjustifiable.
Addressing Deep Issues of Racism
The recent events surrounding Nahel’s death have once again highlighted deep-rooted issues of racism and discrimination within law enforcement. The UN human rights office has emphasized the need for France to address these issues seriously. It further underscores the importance of peaceful assembly and demands swift investigations into any allegations of disproportionate use of force.
