Police Clash with Rioters in Marseille After Teen’s Death Sparks Unrest
Marseille, France – Police and rioters engaged in fierce clashes in Marseille as the country grapples with a fifth consecutive night of unrest following the fatal shooting of a teenager by police. Videos circulating online show police deploying tear gas as they confront protesters, while officials report at least 56 arrests in the southern city.
Meanwhile, a heavy police presence in central Paris appears to have deterred large-scale protests. However, there were calls on social media for demonstrators to gather along the iconic Champs-Élysées. Despite this, the increased police presence seems to have kept most protesters away. The Paris region suspended all bus and tram services after 9 PM for the second consecutive night, and authorities reported 80 arrests in the capital.
The unrest began in many French cities since the killing of 17-year-old Nahel M, who was shot by police at point-blank range in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. The funeral for Nahel was held in Nanterre earlier on Saturday, with a large crowd in attendance. Following the service at the mosque, Nahel’s body was taken to the local cemetery. Supporters of the family requested that the media stay away and banned all filming, even on phones.
French authorities have increased police presence and deployed over 45,000 officers across the country for a second consecutive night in an attempt to maintain order. More than 2,300 people were arrested in the previous four nights of riots, and the number of arrests on Saturday is expected to rise further.
The fatal shooting of Nahel has reignited debates surrounding French policing and a controversial 2017 firearms law that permits officers to shoot when a driver refuses to comply with a stop order. The officer responsible for the fatal shot has been charged with voluntary homicide and expressed remorse to Nahel’s family, with his lawyer stating that he is devastated.
This incident has also brought questions of racism within the French police force to the forefront. The UN’s human rights office has called on France to address deep-rooted issues of racism within law enforcement. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the violence and criticized the exploitation of Nahel’s death to justify acts of violence.
As tensions continue to rise, France faces an intense challenge in restoring peace and addressing the underlying concerns surrounding law enforcement practices.