Just under 200 people were arrested Wednesday night across France following clashes between police and protestors after the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old.
With protests expected to continue over the coming days, over 40,000 police are expected to be deployed around France, with 5,000 police intended just for Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron called on the country to stop and contemplate in an attempt to mediate the protests.
“Reconciliation, justice and calmness must guide the next few hours,” the French President tweeted last night.
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The protests began in Nanterre, a suburb west of Paris, where 17-year-old delivery driver Nahel was shot because he allegedly refused to stop his car.
Crowds were heard chanting 'No justice, no peace!' with Nahel’s mother, Mounia, leading one of the rallies calling out systemic racism and injustice in France.
Macron labelled the shooting as 'unexplainable and inexcusable,' in a press conference with reporters, as per The Canberra Times.
“Nothing, nothing justifies the death of a young man,” said the French President, according to CNN.
Following a peaceful vigil in Nahel’s memory, streets were barricaded, windows were smashed, and shops, such as Nike and Zara, were broken into by protestors.
“Vengeance for Nahel,” was written all over buildings last night while some protestors torched cars.
Police tear-gassed crowds in response to protestors throwing projectiles towards officers as the riots spread all across France.
The crowds were also setting off flares and fireworks.
Apart from Paris, other notable protests broke out in Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, Pau, Montpellier and Marseille.
Protests have also broken out in Belgium, where 15 people were arrested in Brussels in a demonstration held in support of the Nahel.
Macron has called for a crisis meeting with his senior minister after crowds vandalised over 90 public buildings and clashes with police became more violent.
In a follow-up tweet, Macron said: “Violence against police stations, schools, town halls, against the Republic, is unjustifiable.”
“Thank you to the police, paramilitary officers, firefighters and elected officials who have mobilised.”
The Chief of Police in Nanterre has also confirmed that the officer involved in the shooting is being held in custody with a formal investigation for murder underway.
Topics: News, Politics, World News, Racism
Velentina Boulter