Protests in France: A Country Up In Flames

Burning cars, defaced buildings, and clouds of tear gas have painted a bleak picture across some of the largest cities in France following the tragic killing of 17-year-old Nahel M on the 27th of June. As the nation reels from the loss of a young life, the incident has shed light on systemic racism and inequality within France's police departments. Despite overwhelming evidence pointing to an unjustified use of force, the public outrage is met with a disturbing twist as supporters rally behind the police officer involved, raising over €1.3 million in donations as of the 4th of July, 2023. This response does nothing but expose deep-rooted prejudices and highlights the urgent need for justice and meaningful change.

PHOTO CREDIT: AFP

Developement

Nahel M, a passionate fan of rap music, motorcycles, and a regular teenager from Nanterre with Algerian heritage, was fatally shot during a routine police traffic stop. The officer responsible claimed self-defense, alleging that Nahel had attempted to run them over, but video footage captured by bystanders revealed a different narrative. The footage depicted an act of violence without provocation, challenging the officer's version of events. It showed that the police officer fired without provocation on Nahel, who tried to drive away from the scene but died moments after. Nahel's tragic death struck a chord with the French population, sparking widespread protests and demands for justice.

The response from Nahel's grieving mother has been a powerful force in driving peaceful demonstrations in Nanterre. She has become a symbol of the fight for justice, leading the calls for accountability and pointing out the all to real disparities within France’s justice system, as Nahel's name echoes through the streets, a rallying cry for a nation united against injustice.

However, amidst the rightful protests, acts of vandalism, arson and attempted murder have been seen all across the country, as gangs and extremist groups have taken advantage of the public instability to either vilify the peaceful rioters or to take vengeance on public institutions. Store’s have been looted, public buildings such as libraries and schools have been defaced, public transport vehicles have been burnt to a crisp and an assassination attempt towards the family of french politician and mayor Vincent Jeanbrun, have left many of the peaceful rioters displeased, in particular Nahel’s family.

In response French President, Manuel Macron, has declared a state of emergency. A mandatory curfew has been put into place followed by travel restrictions and the use of drones in order to patrol the streets. But his response has fallen short of addressing the underlying issues of systemic racism and inequality that run deep within french society. Instead, he has redirected blame towards video games and online social platforms, claiming that the violence seen in the streets is caused by young rioters living their violent fantasies caused by video games. This has led to the President deflecting attention from the urgent need for reform within the police force. Macron's stance has only further fueled the frustration and anger of the populace, who demand genuine accountability and the dismantling of oppressive systems, but have only been left with baffling accusations and passing excuses.

Furthermore, the influx of over €1.3 million in donations to support the police officer responsible for Nahel's death is deeply troubling. For it shows that despite the public outcry, an undercurrent of systemic racism and discrimination runs deep within a society that was founded under the ideals of equality and fraternity. And the stark contrast between the financial support received by the officer and the limited resources available to Nahel's grieving family reinforces the systemic biases that persist within French society.

Conclusion

France’s ideals have been used as a role model to the rest of the world since their revolution. However, even during the chants for Liberty, Fraternity and Equality there always was the notion that those values didn’t apply to everyone. Especially to those that were enslaved, genocided and treated as animals by European powers such as France either because of their ethnic background or their beliefs. Nevertheless, it was to be expected that after three centuries those same barbaric views of racial and cultural superiority would have been cast down as immoral.

Instead, for all of the supposed progress of the modern world, we still seem to cling to those inhumane notions and on the 27th of June a 17 year old boy, with a life ahead of him, became another victim of those monstrous views. But this time an entire country has taken up arms in the name of justice as they rally beyond the notion that enough is enough. Bravely pushing towards a better future for those that need the most. France is burning, but let’s hope that from its ashes it can be reborn as a more equal and just country. Let us hope that it can be reborn anew. Justice for Nahel.

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