There were riots, looting and property damage in Paris, Marseilles and Lyon. More than 420 people were arrested. Overall, things went a little smoother.
France is still reeling after a young man was killed by a police bullet. Although the situation in some cities appeared less tense than recently, riots broke out again mainly in Paris, Marseille and Lyon. At least 427 people were arrested across the country, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin wrote on Twitter. Despite everything, the night was more peaceful “thanks to the determined action of law enforcement officials”. The Champs Élysées in Paris were cleared by a large police force using tear gas, as reported by “Le Figaro”.
Darmanin also said that the night was more peaceful “thanks to the determined action of the police”. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne praised the forces: In the face of violence, they showed exemplary courage, she wrote on Twitter. 45,000 police and thousands of firefighters were deployed to protect order.
The situation in Marseille is tense but under control, the city administration announced in the evening. Groups formed throughout the night to cause damage, said the prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône, according to “Le Parisien”. Police tried to disperse people with tear gas.
In Marseille, the police presence has been massively increased APA / AFP / Clement Mahoudeau
The police presence was massively increased in Marseille, Lyon and Grenoble in particular. After an arsenal had already been looted in Marseille, the police were there with armored vehicles, helicopters and special troops.
The riots were sparked by the death of a young man at the hands of a police officer on Tuesday. The 17-year-old, whose family is from Algeria, was stopped by a motorcycle patrol while driving a car in Nanterre. As the young man suddenly left, a fatal shot fell from a police officer’s service weapon. The young man was buried on Saturday with close family members. The police officer responsible for the death was arrested. A wrongful death investigation was launched against him.
The young man was buried on Saturday afternoon in his hometown of Nanterre, near Paris. Observers previously feared that the funeral could add fuel to the fire again. But in Nanterre, according to “Le Parisien”, it was quiet until midnight.
State visit, canceled concerts and fashion shows
Because of the unrest, President Macron canceled his state visit to Germany on Saturday. It would have been the first state visit by a French president to Germany in 23 years. But the domestic political situation is forcing Macron to stay in France.
Several concerts, fashion shows and other cultural events have also been canceled in France. Currently, buses and trams only run during the day, and the sale and transport of fireworks and flammable substances has been banned. However, the government has yet to declare a national emergency and the curfew has only been imposed in small towns. (APA/AFP)