Current Affairs France

[Thomasc]

They had the balls to stand up and rise against the aristocracy. Fine people who will not be downtrodden.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

They had the balls to stand up and rise against the aristocracy. Fine people who will not be downtrodden.

To me, it's a mixture of different factors. Social struggles, anti-capitalism, anti-administration, anti-police. Some things have been brewing for years, the yellow vests movement, the various social movements, especially recently against the increase of the legal retirement age, and environmental concerns, etc.

Some may say that these rioters have nothing in common with yellow vests or people protesting against the new law pushing the retirement age, or don't even care about the environment, but I think everything is connected, or will soon be.

Lots and lots people are tired of seeing Macron and his cronies do things only for the rich and against the poor and even against the middle class.

Recently the French minister of the interior decided to forcibly disband an environmental collective, because they were considered "too violent". Pretty much everyone says this move is going too far and only illustrates the government's will to crack down on all kinds of oppositions for corporate favour.

The description of the French government sounds rather similar to recent and current UK government with their cronyism and the anti protest bill.

It also sounds like the media (and by extension, regular people) quickly and conveniently forget that riots are different from organised protests. Once riots get going, people of all sorts of political persuasions join in - sometimes the only common factor being that they are angry about the status quo.

I've honestly sometimes wondered how it hasn't come to riots yet in the UK, then I remember Brexit vote and result and Boris winning an election, stupidity has no bounds.

 

[The binman chronicles]

Without talking about the validity of their protests, the French have a fondness for rioting - it's pretty much engrained into their culture over the past few decades.

Because of this, I'm not unsurprised in how this has spread across the country.

Any excuse really. I don't believe for one second the majority are rioting in memory of the person who was shot and thus target the government/police in what could be classed as legitimate targets for retribution. No, it is ordinary shopkeepers and law abiding citizens that see their property looted and burned, any children watching on must be terrified thinking is our building going to be on fire/raided next. To me all of this is just as bad as the thing that kicked this off.

Like you say it's like they are sat there waiting for it and the first sign of trouble huge numbers jump on the bandwagon for their own personal gain or for the fun of acting like a hooligan for a few days.

 

[hktoffee]

It is looking a bit messy and doesn't appear to be calming down. The world has gone bonkers..

France riots: Looters break into gun shop as 1,300 arrested on fourth night of violence

Violent protests are spreading throughout France after a 17-year-old - named as Nahel M - was shot dead by police during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday.

news.sky.com

Hundreds arrested in France on fourth night of unrest as reinforcements sent to Marseille – as it happened

Nationwide ban on bus and tram services follows violence triggered by the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old on Tuesday

www.theguardian.com

If you are French you must feel the pain after witnessing these atrocities across the country.

Lol when the hk rioters did much worse things, some people like Zat supported them. Double standard Zat I bet you were one of them. To believe in hk rioters’ lies and propaganda was absolutely idiotic.

@Zatara do you think the French police would arrest these rioters？Uphold the law and order btw. France is a democratic country.

 

[spectateur]

It’s been building in France for years….. Napoleon Macron may not survive this. Just a shame many innocents and businesses will suffer…..,

Your Napoleon has been forcing your Thatcherite free market capitalism on the French people.
They do not want it. they want their services. they don't want government enforced austerity
.

 

[spectateur]

To me, it's a mixture of different factors. Social struggles, anti-capitalism, anti-administration, anti-police. Some things have been brewing for years, the yellow vests movement, the various social movements, especially recently against the increase of the legal retirement age, and environmental concerns, etc.

Some may say that these rioters have nothing in common with yellow vests or people protesting against the new law pushing the retirement age, or don't even care about the environment, but I think everything is connected, or will soon be.

Lots and lots people are tired of seeing Macron and his cronies do things only for the rich and against the poor and even against the middle class.

Recently the French minister of the interior decided to forcibly disband an environmental collective, because they were considered "too violent". Pretty much everyone says this move is going too far and only illustrates the government's will to crack down on all kinds of oppositions for corporate favour.

The description of the French government sounds rather similar to recent and current UK government with their cronyism and the anti protest bill.

It also sounds like the media (and by extension, regular people) quickly and conveniently forget that riots are different from organised protests. Once riots get going, people of all sorts of political persuasions join in - sometimes the only common factor being that they are angry about the status quo.

I've honestly sometimes wondered how it hasn't come to riots yet in the UK, then I remember Brexit vote and result and Boris winning an election, stupidity has no bounds.

I live in France. Good post.
I agree with your analysis.

 

[larrygobfiend]

If you are French you must feel the pain after witnessing these atrocities across the country.

Lol when the hk rioters did much worse things, some people like Zat supported them. Double standard Zat I bet you were one of them. To believe in hk rioters’ lies and propaganda was absolutely idiotic.

@Zatara do you think the French police would arrest these rioters？Uphold the law and order btw. France is a democratic country.

He hasn’t even commented in this thread you numpty.

 

[peteblue]

Your Napoleon has been forcing your Thatcherite free market capitalism on the French people.
They do not want it. they want their services. they don't want government enforced austerity
.

Of course, French policeman shoots kids, kids riot, cities burn, shops looted…blame Thatcher….

 

[spectateur]

Of course, French policeman shoots kids, kids riot, cities burn, shops looted…blame Thatcher….

No.
Just the economic philosophy of Friedman that she introduced from the USA.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

This guy lol

 

[stipe]

One wise man once said
"When France sneezes, the rest of Europe catches a cold"

Though this days this doesn't seem to work anymore, rest of continent much more meek

 

[PhilM]

Any excuse really. I don't believe for one second the majority are rioting in memory of the person who was shot and thus target the government/police in what could be classed as legitimate targets for retribution. No, it is ordinary shopkeepers and law abiding citizens that see their property looted and burned, any children watching on must be terrified thinking is our building going to be on fire/raided next. To me all of this is just as bad as the thing that kicked this off.

Like you say it's like they are sat there waiting for it and the first sign of trouble huge numbers jump on the bandwagon for their own personal gain or for the fun of acting like a hooligan for a few days.

For some, yes.

There'll be those who are genuinely upset and have a grievance with the cops. There'll be more who are protesting against their socio-economic conditions.

However, there are many, many others who will take advantage of the situation to enjoy causing chaos, lawlessness and generally cause absolute mayhem.

Look at the situation when PSG have lost major games and how it can quite quickly go wrong to understand the culture that seeps into the banlieues.

The thing is, the French cops and gendarmes will be licking their lips at this because they love a scrap just as much as the rioters.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Imagine if they'd set fire to all the rubbish that had been piled up on the streets.

fortunately with the uk being the most cctv covered country in the world, 'the usual suspects' can be watched closely and kettled very quickly. Third world britain pays off, all the shops have closed cos no one can afford the rents, and power prices. I suppose the beauty of the masses having nothing is, they have nothing to lose.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

She will be loving this.



"For several days, a state of endemic disorder has been established in the country, the images and echoes of which are chillingly brutal.I ask the President of the Republic to receive the parties represented in the National Assembly without further delay."

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

If you are French you must feel the pain after witnessing these atrocities across the country.

Lol when the hk rioters did much worse things, some people like Zat supported them. Double standard Zat I bet you were one of them. To believe in hk rioters’ lies and propaganda was absolutelyg idiotic.

@Zatara do you think the French police would arrest these rioters？Uphold the law and order btw. France is a democratic country.

Your lot would have run them over in tanks then finished off the wounded with a shot to the head.