The protests were triggered by the death of 17-year-old Nahel. The teenage driver was shot dead by a police officer at close range during a traffic stop in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday. He was of Algerian origin.
The death of the teenager triggered unrest, clashes and arson attacks in several Parisian suburbs on Tuesday night. The unrest spread across the country, with late-night protests and riots often turning violent.
The aim of the demonstrators is to draw attention to the discrimination and often violence that minorities in France are confronted with by the police.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting “inexcusable”, but also spoke out against riots and violence. Law enforcement agencies responded by deploying large police forces to major cities and arresting thousands.
17-year-old Nahel was buried in Nanterre on Saturday, following a Muslim funeral attended by friends, family and supporters of the protest movement to pay their respects.
Funeral held for teenager shot dead by police: Sonia Phalnikar from Paris
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Earlier, his mother told France 5 TV that she was angry with the officer who killed her son, but not with the police in general.
“He saw a small Arab-looking child, he wanted to take his own life,” said the mother.
Nanterre Mayor Patrick Jarry said France must “push for change” in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
rmt/dj (AFP, AP, Portal)