The mayor of a Parisian suburb has condemned the rioters responsible for an attack on his home as “a murder attempt of unspeakable cowardice” amidst the continuing unrest in France. The incident comes in the wake of widespread riots, looting, and violence sparked by the death of a 17-year-old boy in Nanterre on Tuesday.
Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of L’Haÿ-les-Roses, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, issued a statement describing the terrifying ordeal. “At 1:30 a.m., while I was at the city hall like the past three nights, individuals rammed their car upon my residence before setting fire to it to burn my house, inside which my wife and my two young children slept,” he said. Jeanbrun revealed that his wife and one of his children were injured while trying to protect the children and escape the attackers.
Regional prosecutor Stephane Hardouin has initiated an investigation into the attack, treating it as attempted murder. Preliminary findings suggest that the car was deliberately used to ram the house and set it ablaze. The incident has added fuel to the already intense outrage and protests taking place across the country.
The death of Nahel M, a 17-year-old boy with Algerian roots, has become a focal point for the unrest. He was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop, resulting in widespread demonstrations and clashes with law enforcement. His funeral gathered hundreds of mourners from France’s Islamic community, who formed a procession from a mosque in Nanterre.
The violent protests have spread beyond Nanterre, with clashes occurring in Brussels, Marseille, and Lyon. The unrest has revealed deep-seated discontent in low-income neighborhoods, highlighting issues of discrimination and limited opportunities faced by residents. The deployment of 45,000 police personnel by the French government aimed to quell the violence, but it has also sparked frustration among those who perceive police behavior as a core contributor to the country’s crisis.
Since the riots began on June 27, over 3,000 people have been arrested. The Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, acknowledged a relatively calmer night on Saturday, attributing it to the resolute action of security forces. However, concerns remain as the justice minister reported that 30% of those detained were minors, some as young as 13.
President Emmanuel Macron postponed his state visit to Germany due to the ongoing unrest, while social media has been blamed for fueling the violence. The UK government has updated its travel guidance for France, warning of potential disruption but not advising against travel to the country. Health Secretary Steve Barclay advised individuals considering travel to France to check the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) for updated advice.
