“This is Unjustifiable: France’s President Macron Calls for Calm and Condemns Violence”
France’s President Macron has called for calm and condemned the violence following the recent riots. Tens of thousands of police officers are set to be deployed nationwide tonight.
“Rampage Spreads Across France: Outrage Over Police Killing of 17-Year-Old Nahel”
Fire and explosion risk at a power station in Nanterre, an attacked police station in Trappes, a completely burned-out tram in Clamart, video cameras shot down with pump guns, a burning kindergarten, fires in town halls, and ignited garbage bins in the Paris suburbs – the riots last night were particularly violent in these areas. Calls for “justice for Nahel” and chants of “the police kill” echoed through the streets as dozens of individuals were arrested.
“Macron Calls for Calm and Reflection”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, leaving the Élysée Palace, walked a few meters to the Ministry of Interior and opened a crisis center. He urged for calm and reflection in the hours to come, emphasizing the need for a peaceful commemorative march dressed in white. The mother of the deceased 17-year-old has called for the march as a sign of defiance.
However, Macron warned of attempts to exploit the events, stating that the past hours had been marked by “scenes of violence against police stations, as well as schools and town halls – institutions and the Republic.” Macron criticized these actions, stating that “this is unjustifiable.”
“Massive Increase in Police Presence Expected”
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced a “decisive” state response to the riots, revealing plans to significantly strengthen security measures.
Accordingly, 40,000 police officers are set to be deployed across France tonight – more than four times the number from the previous night. Alone, 5,000 officers will be on duty in the Paris metropolitan area. During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, approximately 2,000 police officers were present in and around Paris, with around 9,000 nationwide, according to Reuters. Darmanin reported that at least 170 police forces were injured, but no one was in critical condition.
“Investigation for Manslaughter Initiated”
A formal investigation for manslaughter has been launched against the police officer who allegedly fired the fatal shot at the 17-year-old, as announced by the prosecutor’s office in Nanterre. The accused officer is currently in custody.
Prosecutor Pascal Prache stated that the autopsy confirmed “a single shot” as the cause of death, entering the left arm and chest. No dangerous objects or drugs were found during the search of the car.
The course of events was reconstructed based on surveillance camera footage, amateur videos, and witness testimonies. Currently, investigators believe that the legal conditions for the use of firearms were not met. The 38-year-old police officer claimed that he felt endangered, including by the 17-year-old’s vehicle accelerating towards him.
As early as Wednesday, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne expressed her opinion, even before the investigations were concluded, stating, “The shocking images depict an intervention that does not appear to comply with the rules governing our law enforcement agencies.”
Public Outrage Over the Death of the 17-Year-Old
Nahel, a pizza delivery driver, reportedly had no prior criminal record, but had been involved in minor offenses such as driving without a license. He was involved in a rugby club that worked towards social integration. The club “Ovale Citoyen” tweeted, “Nahel has died in Nanterre. He had started an integration course with us. He wanted to build a new future for himself. Now more than ever, we must strive to restore a minimum of hope and believe in equality in the Republic.”
Footballer Kylian Mbappé and actor Omar Sy also expressed their dismay over the teenager’s death due to police violence. However, on Wednesday, the right-wing police union France Police added fuel to the fire. They tweeted, “Congratulations to the colleagues who opened fire on a 17-year-old criminal. By neutralizing his car, they protected their lives and those of other road users.”
Interior Minister Darmanin is now considering banning the organization and describing it as unrepresentative. France is entering a new phase of social unrest following the pension protests.
