Riots, arrests, and anger: France’s firestorm after tragic teen’s death

Incidents of violence sporadically flared up across France on Saturday, July 1, in the aftermath of the funeral of a North African teenager named Nahel.

The teen’s fatal shooting by the police has spurred unrest across the nation since Tuesday. Reuters reported that around 45,000 police officers, along with specialized units, armored vehicles, and helicopters, have been deployed to reinforce major cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.

While the situation Sunday morning seemed calmer than the preceding four nights, local authorities imposed several measures to control the unrest. These included banning demonstrations, halting evening public transportation, and enforcing overnight curfews.

Arrests during the unrest escalated to 322 early Sunday, with 126 occurring in the Paris region, 56 in Marseille, and 21 in Lyon. This surge in apprehensions was an increase from Friday night’s 1,311 arrests, which itself was a marked increase from the 875 the night before.

The funeral of the 17-year-old Nahel drew a large crowd at Nanterre’s grand mosque, with attendees chanting “Allahu Akbar” as they filled the boulevard in prayer. Nahel’s death by police gunfire has reignited accusations of police violence and racism in urban communities, which have long suffered socio-economic marginalization.

Nanterre’s prosecutor stated on Thursday that the deceased teen had prior encounters with law enforcement, having failed to comply with traffic stop orders and having been found driving a rental car illegally.

French cities turn into war zones after shooting of North African teenager. Photo courtesy of Hubert de Thé from Pixabay.

Since the onset of the unrest, rioters have set fire to approximately 2,000 vehicles. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reported that over 200 police officers have sustained injuries and that the average age of the arrested individuals is 17.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire revealed that more than 700 establishments, including shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and bank branches, have been looted, damaged, or even razed since Tuesday.

The ongoing riots evoke memories of the nationwide agitation in 2005 that led then-President Jacques Chirac to declare a state of emergency. This turmoil also exacerbates the political pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, who has been contending with widespread public displeasure over a recently implemented pension overhaul.

In response to the situation, President Macron has postponed his state visit to Germany initially slated to begin on Sunday. A statement from his office indicated that Macron sought a delay from the German presidency due to the “planned visit.”