Violence continued in France for a fourth night on Friday, as young people clashed with police and looted stores in several cities. The unrest was sparked by the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, on Wednesday.
Police said that they had arrested 471 people by midnight on Friday, and that there had been a “downturn” in violence. However, there were still reports of fires being set and shops being looted in Paris, Marseille, and other cities.
The government has deployed 45,000 police officers to try to quell the unrest, and President Emmanuel Macron has called on parents to keep their children off the streets. He has also blamed social media for fueling the violence.
The unrest has raised questions about race relations in France, and about the use of force by the police. The boy who was shot, named Nahel, was black, and his death has sparked anger and protests from some members of the black community.
The government has said that it is investigating the shooting, and that it will take action if it finds that the police used excessive force. However, the unrest is likely to continue until there is a clear resolution to the case.
What is the cause of the violence?
The violence in France is a complex issue with a number of contributing factors. Some of the key factors include:
Racial tensions: The shooting of Nawel has sparked anger and protests from some members of the black community, who feel that they are unfairly targeted by the police.
Economic inequality: France has a high level of economic inequality, and many young people in the suburbs feel that they have been left behind. This can lead to frustration and anger, which can sometimes manifest itself in violence.
The role of social media: Social media has played a role in fueling the violence, as it has allowed people to spread rumours and incite anger.
What is the government doing to address the violence?
The government has taken a number of steps to address the violence, including:
Deploying more police: The government has deployed 45,000 police officers to try to quell the unrest.
Investigating the shooting: The government is investigating the shooting of Nahel, and it has said that it will take action if it finds that the police used excessive force.
Talking to community leaders: The government has been talking to community leaders in an effort to understand the causes of the violence and to find ways to address them.
What is the future of the violence?
It is difficult to say what the future of the violence will be. However, it is likely that the unrest will continue until there is a clear resolution to the case of Nahel’s death and until the government takes steps to address the underlying causes of the violence.
Recent Violence
Recently the Marseille library burned out on fire, malls and shopping complexes looted, trains put on fire. On 30th June 2023, 875 people were held, 200 police personnel were injured and the government is still struggling to put the violence to rest. On Friday French Emmanuel Macron requested citizens to keep their teenagers at home and restrict the use of social media. He said platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok became the fuel to the whole situation.
