Unrest Erupts in France Again in Response to Police Shooting of Teen

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2023-06-30

French officials said Thursday that authorities arrested 150 people in connection with unrest in Paris and other cities as protesters rallied against the police killing of a teenager earlier this week.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the arrests in a tweet in which he said, “Shame on those who did not call for calm.”

"A night of intolerable violence against symbols of the republic, with town halls, schools and police stations set on fire or attacked," Darmanin said.

In addition to Paris, protests have hit Toulouse, Dijon, Lyon and other areas, as activists call attention to what they say is systemic abuse by police particularly in disadvantaged areas.

The killing of the 17-year-old identified only by his first name, Nael, happened Tuesday during a traffic stop in Nanterre.

The teenager’s mother called for a march Thursday in his honor.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said the shooting was “unexplainable and inexcusable.” He called for an emergency meeting of his ministers Thursday.

Source: Voice of America

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