Everything we know about French riots as firefighter, 24, dies in violence
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In the wake of a teenager’s tragic death at the hands of the police, France has been plunged into a state of unrest, with clashes between young rioters and law enforcement escalating into the early hours of Sunday.
The country witnessed a fifth consecutive night of protests, as anger and frustration spilled over into the streets.
However, there were signs that overall violence had slightly diminished compared to previous nights.
The crisis, which has rocked the nation, poses a significant challenge to President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership, laying bare deep-seated discontent in low-income neighbourhoods plagued by discrimination and limited opportunities.
On Saturday, the 17-year-old victim, identified as Nahel, was laid to rest in a poignant Muslim ceremony in the Paris suburb of Nanterre.
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Emotions remained raw in the community as mourners paid their respects.
Despite the grief, Nahel’s grandmother, known only as Nadia, made a heartfelt plea for an end to the violence that has ensued following her grandson’s death. “People who are breaking things, I tell them: stop, stop,” she implored during a telephone interview with French news broadcaster BFM TV.
Her words carried the weight of someone grieving deeply but remaining firm in their belief that violence was not the solution.
As night fell on Saturday, a small group of protesters gathered on the iconic Champs-Elysees, expressing their dissent. However, they were met with a strong police presence, with hundreds of officers equipped with batons and shields guarding the avenue and its luxurious boutiques.
In less affluent Parisian neighbourhoods, the situation escalated as protesters set barricades ablaze and set off firecrackers, prompting the police to respond with tear gas and stun grenades.
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A 24-year-old firefighter died in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis, Gerald Darmanin confirmed on Monday.
He said: “All my sincere and saddened condolences to his family, loved ones, comrades and to the BSPP [Paris Fire Brigade]”.
On Sunday (July 2), a burning car deliberately rammed into the home of the mayor of L’Hay-les-Roses, a Paris suburb. This brazen act injured members of the mayor’s family, who were sleeping at the time.
Mayor Vincent Jeanbrun, a member of the conservative opposition Republicans party, expressed shock and decried this personal attack as a new level of “horror and ignominy” in the ongoing unrest.
Investigations into the incident revealed that the attack on the mayor’s home was potentially an attempted murder, as a flame accelerant was discovered in a bottle within the car. Regional prosecutor Stephane Hardouin initiated the investigation, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
In response to the escalating turmoil, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, accompanied by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, visited L’Hay-les-Roses, assuring residents that measures would be taken to restore order swiftly. President Macron, recognising the severity of the situation, scheduled a special security meeting on Sunday evening to address the crisis alongside Borne, Darmanin, and the justice minister.
The violence extended beyond the capital, as skirmishes erupted in the Mediterranean city of Marseille. However, authorities noted that the intensity of the clashes appeared to have slightly diminished compared to previous nights.
The relentless protests have resulted in a significant number of arrests, with the police detaining over 3,000 individuals. The mass security deployment aimed at quelling the unrest has been both praised by frightened residents and shop owners whose properties have been vandalised, while simultaneously aggravating those who perceive the police’s conduct as a root cause of the crisis.
While the unrest continues to grip certain parts of France, daily life carries on undisturbed in other regions. Tourists flocked to the iconic Eiffel Tower, symbolising resilience amid adversity, while families from various backgrounds pursued their summer vacations.
Nahel’s burial was a solemn occasion, attended by hundreds of mourners who stood in solidarity, recognising the shared pain and the need for justice. As video evidence emerged of the fatal incident, one officer involved was charged with voluntary homicide, ensuring that the investigation progresses.
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