French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to delay his planned visit to Germany due to the escalating violence and unrest that has gripped cities across France. The rioting, triggered by the tragic killing of a teenager by a police officer, shows no signs of abating, leading to concerns about public safety and stability. This article explores the latest developments surrounding the unrest, including the funeral of the slain teenager, the persistent clashes between protestors and law enforcement, and the impact on various sectors of French society.
Amidst the ongoing chaos, the family of Nahel M, a 17-year-old of Algerian and Moroccan descent who was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop, held a private funeral at a mosque in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. However, the mourning was overshadowed by the escalating violence and clashes between protestors and the police. The unrest has continued for four consecutive nights, leading to concerns about public safety and prompting President Macron to postpone his trip to Germany.
Despite the deployment of approximately 45,000 police officers and the use of light armored vehicles, violent clashes between protestors and law enforcement continued unabated. The interior ministry has announced that a similar number of police officers will be on the streets on Saturday night to maintain order. The ministry also reported on Twitter that 1,311 people were arrested overnight, a significant increase from the previous night’s figure of 875. However, it noted that the intensity of the violence had decreased.
Cities such as Lyon, Marseille, and Grenoble have witnessed looting and rioting, with groups of young individuals pillaging shops, setting fires, and launching projectiles at officers. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire revealed that over 700 shops, including supermarkets, restaurants, and bank branches, had been ransacked, looted, and even burned down since the onset of the unrest. In Marseille, rioters targeted a gun store, stealing hunting rifles but no ammunition. The situation prompted Marseille’s Mayor Benoit Payan to call for additional troops to tackle the widespread pillaging and violence.
The repercussions of the unrest have extended beyond mainland France. Events such as concerts at the Stade de France were canceled, and the fashion house Celine, owned by LVMH, decided to cancel its scheduled 2024 menswear show. Additionally, violence erupted in French overseas territories, with incidents reported in French Guiana and the Indian Ocean island of Reunion. These regions experienced clashes between protestors and law enforcement, resulting in injuries and property damage.
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/world/europe/france-protests-police-shooting-timeline.html
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