On June 27, in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, a 17-year-old of Algerian descent died as a result of being shot by a police officer, triggering large-scale protests and riots throughout France. The situation escalated to involve numerous cases of arson and looting, with reports of over 3,000 arrests. In Paris, even prominent avenues such as Champs-Élysées saw businesses taking precautionary measures such as boarding up windows to prevent looting.
On July 1, the funeral of the young boy took place, resulting in a temporary lull in the unrest. However, there have been continued calls for gatherings and reports of gunfire via social media, leaving the situation uncertain.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a "Notice of Caution Regarding Riots in France" on its overseas safety website, advising citizens to steer clear of the turmoil and be vigilant about the potential for further escalation.
Initially, following the shooting incident, the police claimed that the young boy, who was stopped during an identity check, had moved his car in a way that endangered the officer's life, justifying the use of lethal force. However, subsequently, contradicting video footage spread through social media, showing the officer positioned beside the driver's seat with no apparent risk of being hit by the car, firing at close range towards the boy's chest. This false narrative incited anger among the public. Furthermore, the fact that the deceased teenager had Algerian Arab roots added a racial dimension to the outrage.
Wtf?
— Nemo - Russian Amerikan (@Nemo70488915) June 28, 2023
Paris, France.
French police officer is being investigated for homicide over the fatal shooting a 17-year-old boy in the Paris suburb of Nanterre after he failed to comply with an order to stop his car.https://t.co/4cNbpADr9z pic.twitter.com/JEV2XKtc9E
This incident brings to mind the riots that occurred in the Paris suburbs in 2005. On October 27, 2005, the deaths of two immigrant teenagers who were being chased by the police, and who had sought refuge in an electrical substation, resulted in nationwide riots that continued for about a month.
A common keyword associated with both this incident and the one in 2005 is "banlieue," which is French for "suburb." The 2005 incident took place in Clichy-sous-Bois in the eastern suburbs of Paris, while this incident occurred in Nanterre in the northeastern suburbs of Paris. These suburbs are characterized by housing estates where a significant portion of the underprivileged population resides, often associated with images of "immigration, unemployment, and discrimination." Having lived in Paris for four years myself, I can attest that there is a widespread consensus to avoid these suburban areas due to their reputation for being unsafe.
However, it is essential to note that not all suburbs are impoverished, and the location of this incident, Nanterre, is relatively close to the business district of La Défense and features a well-maintained cityscape. Nevertheless, it is likely that the word "banlieue" triggered associations with "immigrants" among many French people when they heard about this incident.
France has actively received immigrants as a labor force to support its rapid economic growth since the 1960s, and approximately 10% of the population consists of immigrants. Among these immigrants, individuals from North African countries like Algeria and Morocco, former French colonies, are the most prominent. However, many of them have faced poverty, employment discrimination, and cultural differences (as a significant portion of immigrants are Muslims), leading to long-standing grievances. This incident has acted as a catalyst for these accumulated frustrations to erupt, evolving from protests to riots. The immigrant issue lies at the core of the backdrop for such events.
As travel restrictions are being lifted amid the ongoing pandemic, many people may plan trips to France for business or summer vacations. Given the potential for further unrest, it is advisable to stay away from areas affected by turmoil and keep yourself updated with the latest information. Lastly, I will highlight several posts from social media that depict the protests and riots.
❶Lille
In the northern industrial city of Lille, which borders Belgium, objects are being set on fire, and roads are being blocked.
Tension rue des Postes à #Lille. Le cortège continue son avancée.#Nanterre #ViolencesPolicieres #LaPoliceTue #Nahel pic.twitter.com/7No39JWDfz
— (R)evol (@contactrevol) June 28, 2023
❷Metz
In the historic city of Metz in northeastern France, a fire was set at the "Médiathèque Jean-Macé," a media library.
BREAKING:
Rioters in France have set the Jean-Macé library in Metz on fire tonight. Looks like the building is beyond saving pic.twitter.com/qpRsrRVKKF — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 30, 2023
❸Nanteuil
In Nanteuil, the epicenter of the event, numerous protest demonstrations erupted, and there were instances of shops being looted and set on fire.
3ème soirée de tensions à #Nanterre. Un immeuble est actuellement en feu au niveau de la préfecture. Les habitants ont été évacués. pic.twitter.com/Pd38sYsmEF
— Amar Taoualit (@TaoualitAmar) June 29, 2023
❹Noisy-le-Sec
A video was posted showing a bus on fire in Noisy-le-Sec, a suburb in the eastern outskirts of Paris.
🔥🇫🇷 FLASH - Un bus a été incendié à Noisy-le-Sec. De nombreuses villes de France sont touchées par des incidents. (témoins) #émeutes #Nanterre pic.twitter.com/LuZ8kNn8pj
— Mediavenir (@Mediavenir) June 29, 2023
❺Paris
A clash between protesters and police occurred on the renowned Champs-Élysées avenue, one of the leading tourist destinations in Paris.
🔴 Charges et lacrymogène autour des #ChampsÉlysées pour disperser des groupes. pic.twitter.com/C2KAXZl8ld
— Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) July 1, 2023
❻La Queue-en-Brie
In the southern suburbs of Paris, specifically in La Queue-en-Brie, the residence of the mayor was targeted as an assailant drove a car into the house and set it on fire. The mayor's wife and children were injured when fireworks were thrown at them.
⚡ Rioters in France rammed a car into the home of the mayor L'Hay-les-Roses of a town south of Paris, injuring his wife and one of his children.
Later the Mayor's house was burned down. Special words at .07 seconds in first video pic.twitter.com/RGx5Fzcuao — Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) July 2, 2023
❼Strasbourg
In the northeastern Alsace region of France, the city of Strasbourg witnessed a car set ablaze, leading to an explosive situation.
Strasbourg : Début de soirée au Neuhof #Emeutes pic.twitter.com/Xm8nIwo0xW
— Fdesouche.com est une revue de presse (@F_Desouche) July 2, 2023
❽Lyon
In Lyon, France's second-largest city, clashes have erupted. It's notable that many individuals, not solely of immigrant backgrounds, have joined the protest demonstrations.
Les forces de l'ordre frappent le service d'ordre de la CGT #Manif6Juin #ViolencesPolicieres #ReformeDesRetraites #CGT #Lyon pic.twitter.com/rqsxBzfQGx
— Adrien Arbl (@Adrien_arbl) June 6, 2023
❾Toulouse
In Toulouse, a central hub of Europe's aerospace industry, we witness the scene of protest participants in flight.
🔴🇫🇷La situation dégénère à Toulouse. De nombreux affrontements avec la police qui fait usage de gaz lacrymogènes pic.twitter.com/xgdSoUjtXX
— La France Libre (@ivarsigurdson) June 28, 2023
❿Nice
Even in the tourist haven of Nice on the French Riviera, as we enter the full-blown vacation season, clashes between demonstrators and the police continue.
Nice : Des affrontements éclatent. La police fait usage de gaz lacrymogènes. Le RAID est également déployé#Nanterre pic.twitter.com/65dFETBEka
— Réalité Actuelle (@ReaActuelle) July 1, 2023
⓫Looting at a Shopping Center in Marseille
In the southern port city of Marseille, scenes of looting at a shopping center have been posted online.
Le Centre-Bourse est tombé, je répète, le Centre-Bourse est tombé après avoir vaillamment résisté hier soir.#Marseille #Nahel pic.twitter.com/JFQu6oNtUI
— Antoine Baudino (@AntoineBaudino) June 30, 2023
Satoshi Negoro
July 03, 2023
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