France Deploys 45,000 Police Officers and Gendarmes to Tackle Nighttime Unrest
In response to the ongoing unrest across France, the country’s Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, has announced that 45,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed during the night, an increase of 5,000 from the previous night. In an interview with TF1, Darmanin also revealed that 29 helicopters will be utilized by the security forces.
Protests have been dispersed by the police on the Place de la Concorde, and incidents of looting have been reported in Grenoble and Marseille, according to the news website Le Figaro. In Lyon, the police clashed with demonstrators and used tear gas. Le Figaro reported that the largest protest on the Place de la Concorde called for justice for Nahel and was dispersed by the police. Footage of the events is circulating on social media, with young people seen engaging in acts of vandalism, while photojournalists document the unfolding events.
Looting has also been reported in the center of Grenoble, where dozens of young people wearing hoodies gathered and began destroying property and setting trash cans on fire. Shortly after, French media reported another incident of looting in Marseille, where a Sephora cosmetics store became the target. According to available information, 49 people have been arrested in Marseille so far.
France Attempts to Avoid State of Emergency, Halts Transportation
In Lyon, eight people were arrested on Friday evening, according to Le Figaro citing the Ministry of the Interior. Given the current situation, it is expected that the number of arrests will increase throughout the night. In Marseille, 49 people have been arrested, according to available information.
In the afternoon, a young man lost his life after falling from a supermarket roof in Petit-Quevilly, France, according to the AFP news agency. The RTL station’s website reported that the 19-year-old fell from the roof of a store that was being looted and was in a state of brain death when he was transported to a university hospital in Rouen. He was later pronounced dead.
Unrest Among the Youth
According to the Minister of the Interior, the violence is being perpetrated by delinquents who do not represent the hardworking majority of residents in French suburbs. The minister reiterated President Emmanuel Macron’s call for parents to take greater responsibility for their children. The average age of the more than 900 people arrested last night is 17, with some as young as 13, the minister stated.
Darmanin also noted that he expects social media companies such as Snapchat and TikTok to cooperate by providing the names of individuals who have used their platforms to organize violence, so that they can be brought to justice.
In response to the unrest, Darmanin has instructed prefects across the country to halt public bus
What are the main reasons behind the protests in several cities across France, including Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Nantes?
Reported in several other cities across the country, including Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Nantes. The unrest is believed to be a response to perceived social and economic inequality, as well as frustrations over perceived police brutality.
The deployment of such a large number of security forces aims to maintain public order and prevent further violence and looting. The use of helicopters will provide additional surveillance and support to the ground forces.
The protests and subsequent unrest have posed a significant challenge to the French government, with President Emmanuel Macron facing criticism for his handling of the situation. The government has been accused of being out of touch with the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens, particularly young people and marginalized communities.
In an effort to address these concerns, President Macron announced a series of measures earlier this week, including the creation of a new police oversight body and increased funding for social programs. However, these measures have done little to quell the anger and frustration of many protesters, who are calling for more substantive changes.
The deployment of additional security forces is a clear demonstration of the government’s determination to restore order and maintain public safety. However, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to address the underlying issues driving the protests and prevent further unrest in the future.
“Maintaining security is crucial amidst protests and unrest. Mobilizing 45,000 officers shows France’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens and preventing the situation from escalating further.”