A fundraising campaign on GoFundMe for a police officer under investigation for the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old, an incident that sparked nationwide protests in France, has raised over $1 million, igniting controversy.

Protesters are criticizing the campaign, arguing that it seems to reward the officer for the death of the teenager.

The donation drive was established by Jean Messiha, a former advisor to French far-right politician Marine Le Pen. With an initial goal of $55,000, the campaign has attracted nearly $1.05 million (963,000 euros) in donations. The page urges mass support for Florian.M, the officer from Nanterre, stating he is paying a high price for merely doing his job.

Interestingly, a similar fundraising campaign for the family of Nahel Merzouk, the teenager shot by the officer, gathered only $218,000, nearly five times less than the police officer’s collection. This discrepancy sparked public outrage, with prominent figures like Olivier Faure, head of the Socialist Party, urging GoFundMe to shut down the fundraising for Florian. Faure accused the platform of worsening an existing divide by supporting a police officer charged with intentional homicide.

Manon Aubry, a France Unbowed MEP, voiced a similar concern, pointing out the message the campaign seemed to send about the repercussions of fatal violence. Eric Bothorel of the ruling Renaissance party also criticized the campaign, blaming Messiha for inciting further conflict.

Despite the backlash, GoFundMe has refused to take down the campaign, arguing it does not violate French law and that the funds will be given directly to the officer’s family, not to cover his legal fees.

French law indeed forbids public fundraising intended to compensate for fines, costs, and damages awarded by judicial sentences in criminal and correctional matters, with violations potentially leading to a six-month prison sentence or a $50,000 fine.

Meanwhile, approximately 45,000 police personnel, backed by specialized elite units and armored vehicles, continue to patrol France’s streets to restore calm amid the nationwide unrest.

  France, GoFundMe, Nanterre, Paris