At least 150 individuals have been arrested in France following a second night of protests after a 17-year-old driver was fatally shot by police.
The protests erupted in response to the death of a teenager during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. The violence escalated on June 28 as demonstrators clashed with police, who responded with tear gas. Protesters threw fireworks at officers, set vehicles ablaze, and even set fire to buildings. The unrest extended beyond Nanterre, with protests taking place in other cities across the country, including Lille, Amiens, Dijon, and Toulouse.
On June 29, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin condemned the violence, describing it as "unbearable" and expressing solidarity with the police, gendarmes, and firefighters who faced the situation with courage. He called out those who did not advocate for calm, emphasizing the importance of supporting the symbols of the Republic. Dozens of police officers were injured during the clashes, as per the Interior Ministry.
"A night of unbearable violence against symbols of the Republic: town halls, schools, and police stations set on fire or attacked. 150 arrests. Support for the police, gendarmes, and firefighters who face up with courage. Shame on those who did not call for calm," Gerald Darmanin noted.
The incident has sparked accusations of police brutality and intensified anger over the teenager's death. French footballer Kylian Mbappe, who grew up in the nearby area, expressed his outrage, describing the situation as "unacceptable". President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the shooting, calling it "unexplainable and inexcusable" and appealing for calm.
"Nothing justifies the death of a young person," Macron stated.
The police officer involved in the shooting is currently in custody on suspicion of manslaughter and may face preliminary charges soon, as per the Nanterre prosecutor's office. Prosecutors claim the teenager, who was of North African origin, failed to comply with an order to stop his car and that officers feared for their lives after he threatened to run them over.
Lawyers representing the family of the deceased teenager dispute the police's version of events. They referred to an online video circulating that shows two police officers leaning into the driver-side window of the yellow car before it pulls away and an officer opens fire. The lawyers argue that the video contradicts the police's claim that they feared for their lives after the driver threatened to run them over. The incident is under investigation by France's human rights ombudsman.
In the midst of the tensions, the mother of the deceased teenager, in a video shared on TikTok, called for a memorial march in Nanterre as a form of protest and remembrance for her son on June 29.
"Everyone come, we will lead a revolt for my son," she said.
The shooting of the 17-year-old was the third fatal incident involving police during a traffic stop in France this year, marking a decrease from the record 13 incidents that occurred last year, as per a national police spokesperson.
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