French President Emmanuel Macron has promised “fundamental answers” after days of unrest in the country. In a meeting with mayors, Macron also considered blocking online media in the fight against further unrest. One should think about the use of social networks by the protesting youth and possible bans, Macron said at the rally, as reported by the broadcaster BFMTV.
“And if things get out of hand, you may have to put yourself in a position to regulate them or turn them off. You shouldn’t do that in the heat of the moment, and I’m glad we didn’t have to,” the French president said while meeting 241 mayors of the cities particularly affected by the riots.
“tool for trying to kill”
Macron had already blamed social networks on Friday for the escalation of violence in the protests against police brutality. Violent rallies were organized there. Now Macron said dealing with social media should be considered calmly. “Because when it becomes a tool for gatherings or trying to kill, it’s a real problem.”
Meeting with the mayors, Macron said it’s not about repeating things that have been practiced for decades. What is needed is an “answer on the level of what we have experienced”.
Border controls with Belgium tightened
Meanwhile, controls at the border with Belgium have been tightened in northern France to prevent the import of fireworks, the newspaper “Le Parisien” reported on Tuesday evening, citing the prefecture. The rioters must be prevented from stocking up on fireworks. People with fireworks have already been arrested on both sides of the border. The prefecture in northern France has issued a ban on the sale and transport of fireworks and petrol in cans until mid-July.
According to government information, more than 3,400 people have been arrested in riots in recent days. 684 police officers and firefighters were injured. The riots have reached their peak, the president said, although caution remains necessary in the coming days and weeks. “It’s the standing order that we need to address as a top priority.”
17-year-old shot dead at traffic control
Since the death of 17-year-old Nahel by a police bullet during a traffic control last Tuesday, France has been rocked by violent riots. There was repeated looting, arson and violent clashes between police officers and rioters. The officer who shot the boy is suspected of manslaughter.
France is a constitutional state and the police are also bound by laws, the government emphasized on Monday. However, the police have no systemic problems with racism or the reckless use of firearms. In recent days in particular, she has shown professionalism and a sense of proportion – despite violent riots, neither rioters nor officials were killed. The youngster’s death is nevertheless tragic and understandably touches people’s minds. The government has so far failed to respond to calls for police reform.
Adolescent describes events
According to new details, three youths were in the car that was stopped by the police. On Monday night, the newspaper “Le Parisien” published descriptions of what happened from the perspective of a 14-year-old sitting in the back seat, which his father wrote to the newspaper. Nahel met the boy by chance in the morning and offered to drive him to a school exam.
The boy reported that the 17-year-old did not comply with an initial request from the police to stop. When traffic stopped, police overtook the car and turned their guns on the 17-year-old. One of them threatened to shoot him in the head. Panicking, Nahel may have slipped his foot off the automatic car’s brake, causing it to move. One officer asked the other to shoot. “He’s crazy, he shot,” Nahel said before collapsing lifelessly and driving the car into a guardrail.
Source: Krone
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