Could this grandmother’s plea be the turning point in France riots?
The surging violent protests in France over the killing of Nahel M, a French teenager of African descent, have provoked a response from his grandmother, Nadia.
In a plea for tranquility, Nadia called upon the protestors to halt the destruction, expressing her sorrow over her grandson’s death and the ensuing unrest.
Nadia made an appeal on BFM TV, a French news channel, imploring people not to resort to rioting. She expressed her concerns over the potential harm to businesses, public transport, and educational establishments.
Nadia indicated that her grandson’s death was being used as a pretext for the unrest, and she voiced her desire for a return to calm.
French protests ease as grandmother of slain teen calls for calm. Photo courtesy of Toufik-de-Planoise/Wikimedia Commons.
Nadia spoke about the devastating impact of Nahel’s death on her daughter, stating that her life has been irrevocably changed. While she holds strong resentment towards the men responsible for her grandson’s death, she clarified her feelings do not extend to the entire police force. On being questioned about the funds raised for the police officer implicated in Nahel’s death, she candidly confessed her anguish.
As the unrest continued, French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne visited the home of Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of the southern suburb of L’Hay-les-Roses, after it was targeted in a violent attack. She promised retribution for acts of violence.
In response to these recent events, the Association of Mayors of France has organized a rally to support Jeanbrun, set to take place on Monday. Nahel M’s funeral was held at the grand mosque in the French suburb of Nanterre, drawing hundreds of attendees.
Despite the high police presence, with around 45,000 officers and additional reinforcements deployed across France, the situation appeared to stabilize on Sunday morning. The authorities introduced measures including demonstration bans, public transport restrictions in the evenings, and overnight curfews in some areas. These steps seemed to have a calming effect, as the number of arrests dropped significantly from Friday to Saturday night.
The repercussions of Nahel M’s death continue to ripple through France, as the nation grapples with the ongoing crisis.