The grandmother of the 17-year-old who was killed urged calm on Sunday. “Fortunately the police are there. I say to people who are breaking something: Stop it. They used Nahel as an excuse,” she told BFMTV on Sunday. Although she is angry with the officer who shot her grandson, she doesn’t want to generalize. He will be punished like everyone else. “I have faith in the judiciary.” People should keep calm and not destroy everything.
In view of the ongoing unrest, a government crisis meeting chaired by President Macron was held at the Interior Ministry on Sunday night. TV station BFMTV then reported that Macron wanted to receive on Tuesday more than 200 mayors who have been particularly affected by the disturbances of recent days. Macron would also like to meet with the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly on Monday.
On Friday, Macron appealed to parents’ sense of responsibility given the young age of many of the protesters. Macron had to cancel his planned state visit to Germany on Saturday.
Portal/Juan Medina Hundreds of people were arrested on Sunday night
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.
Right-wing extremists charge for police
A fundraiser organized by right-wing extremists for the police officer who allegedly shot the 17-year-old in Nanterre, France, has raised more than €500,000 through Sunday. The aim is to support the family of the police officer “who did his job and is now paying a high price”, according to the campaign. The fundraiser was organized by Jean Messiha, a supporter of far-right politician Eric Zemmour. The policeman is under arrest.
fifth night of the riots
For the fifth consecutive night, riots broke out in several cities. The presence of security forces was very strong on the magnificent avenue Champs-Elysées, in the capital Paris, reported a journalist from the AFP news agency. Small groups of young people dressed in black walked through the shops. Later that night, security forces dispersed the last remaining protest groups there.
Overnight, 719 people were arrested and 45 emergency services were injured, the French Interior Ministry announced in a preliminary statement. 577 vehicles and 74 buildings were set on fire. According to the information, 871 fires on roads were recorded.
Portal/Pascal Rossignol Hundreds of vehicles were set on fire
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter that the night was quieter “thanks to determined action by law enforcement agencies”. Prime Minister Elisabeth 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.
special troops in action
The riots were sparked by the death of a young man at the hands of a police officer. The 17-year-old was stopped behind the wheel of a car by a motorcycle patrol in Nanterre on Tuesday. As the young man suddenly left, a fatal shot fell from a police officer’s service weapon. Officials initially claimed that the youths wanted to run them over. A wrongful death investigation was opened against the officer.
In Marseille, Lyon and Grenoble in particular, the police presence has increased significantly in recent days. After an armory was looted in Marseille, the police were sent there with armored vehicles, helicopters and special troops.
Portal/Nacho Doce The Parisian avenue Champs-Elysées was cleared by the police
Property attacked by mayor
In the town of L’Hay-les-Roses, on the outskirts of Paris, the home of the mayor, Vincent Jeanbrun, was attacked. According to television station BFMTV, the Public Ministry has opened an investigation into attempted murder. It was reported in your environment that around 1:00 am several people with a vehicle forced their way through the gate of the house. They would have set fire to this car, the mayor’s car and the garbage cans.
Cette nuit, un cap a été franchi dans l’horreur et l’ignominie. My home was attacked and my family the victim of an assassination attempt.
The determination to protect and serve the Republic is greater than ever. Je ne reculerai pas. #PasPourRien #mute ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/9HW1eAFCXN
—Vincent Jeanbrun (@VincentJeanbrun) July 2, 2023
According to information, the invaders were unable to enter the house, but followed the mayor’s wife and two children, aged about ten, to the backyard. The family managed to save themselves in the neighboring property, the woman was injured. Jeanbrun himself was in the town hall at the time.
riots in switzerland
The unrest in France also reached Switzerland. Police arrested seven people on Saturday night in the city of Lausanne, close to the border with France, the Keystone-SDA news agency reported. According to police, more than 100 young people gathered in response to the riots in France. There was material damage to stores.
France: The hustle never ends
In France, violent riots are feared again on Sunday night. President Emmanuel Macron is under increasing pressure amid unrest following the killing of a 17-year-old by police. On Saturday afternoon, Macron canceled a state visit to Germany at the last minute.
The seven detainees were taken to a police station, the police said in a statement. There are six minors aged between 15 and 17 and one aged 24. Around 50 police from the city of Lausanne, the cantonal police from Vaud and other municipal police were on duty. They had to fend off hooded youths who threw cobblestones at them. A Molotov cocktail was also thrown at the police.
Scholz “worried”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) showed understanding for the cancellation of Macron’s visit to Germany. In Sunday’s ARD summer interview, Scholz emphasized that he was “obviously concerned” about what was happening in France. He expects a lot and is also convinced that Macron “will find ways to ensure that this situation improves quickly”.
“It cannot be that acts of violence are committed,” Scholz said, referring to the sometimes violent riots in France. “And at the same time, of course, we always have to do everything we can to make sure the cohesion in our societies works well.”