Posted on 11/02/2005 6:58:10 PM PST by untenured
Violence has flared for a seventh night in immigrant communities to the north-east of Paris.
Youths in several areas have been roaming the streets with sticks and bottles and dozens of vehicles have been set alight during the night.
The unrest came after ministers held crisis talks on the situation and the president appealed for calm.
Violence broke out following the death of two teenagers. Locals say they were fleeing police, which authorities deny.
On Wednesday night police clashed with youths in nine areas of the Seine-Saint-Denis department - where the violence began last week.
A school and shops have also been damaged.
Political 'rebuke'
The prime minister and interior minister have delayed trips abroad to try to calm the unrest.
Late on Wednesday Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin summoned ministers to a meeting, from which no details have emerged.
However, he told parliament a disruptive minority should not be confused with the majority, who want to integrate.
"Let's avoid stigmatising areas," he said.
"Let's... avoid confusing a disruptive minority with the vast majority of youngsters who want to integrate into society and succeed."
Correspondents say Mr de Villepin's comments were a rebuke to his political rival, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who has called the rioters "scum".
Mr Chirac warned earlier of a "dangerous situation".
"The law must be applied in a spirit of dialogue and respect," he said.
Social problems
Dozens of vehicles have been torched and more than 30 arrests have been made since the violence began last week.
Unrest flared in Clichy-sous-Bois after two teenage boys of North African origin were electrocuted on Thursday at an electricity sub-station.
Local people insist they were fleeing from police and scrambled in to hide. Police say they were not chasing the boys.
An official investigation is under way.
Clichy saw five successive nights of confrontation between police and young people from the mainly north African Muslim communities in the north-eastern suburb.
Correspondents say anger grew after a tear gas canister was hurled into a mosque in Clichy on Sunday night. Emotions have also been fuelled by mass arrests.
Unemployment and social problems are rife in many of France's poorer suburban areas.
In recent days there have also been incidents involving groups of youths in other departments near Paris - including the Val-d'Oise, Seine-et-Marne, Hauts-de-Seine and Yvelines.
I'm Always embarrassed and deeply sad when somebody post something like this... we helped the enemy to further oppressed our Christian brothers in the Balkans... it's the truth though.
Did you not note the sarcasm at the end of my post? I'm well aware of what Clintoon did.
At least by being in France, these folks can't be over in Iraq blowing themselves up.
It finally ran in the pathetic Tennessean this morning with no mention whatsoever that these rioting youths are Muslim. Zip.
Wonder when the welfare checks go out in France? That might stop the riots, it has in the US.
Yeah I saw it... dont worry i was not meant to be for you... it's the tragedy itself we caused against our brothers...
If you give me your zip code I can give you the elevation, azimuth and directions how to point your dish.
If you give me your zip code I can give you the elevation, azimuth and directions how to point your dish.
Is Paris melting?...
"The BBC just reported that tonight a police station was briefly taken over, a car showroom was set on fire, two schools were damaged, and police vans were stoned, had gasoline thrown at them and had to retreat."
Any charactarization on how large the crowds of rioters are? Hundreds, thousands?
"Roving gangs." I didn't get the sense it was like Watts in 1965, but the rioters were basically able to throw Molotov cocktails at cops, assault buildings and then move on at will.
Thank you very much for linking to that blog. The translation of the article RE: Denmark Riots is astounding! This definitely does not look good at all...
Hmmm..."Roving gangs" able to occupy police buildings...
I'm sure al-Queda is sitting up and taking notice. Remember how they concluded that the US was weak because of our withdrawll from Somalia? What will they conclude about France?
"Good thing they stayed out of Iraq or those Muslim youths would really be mad"
Appeasement + liberalism = NO JUSTICE.... NO PEACE
Exactly....
Muslim rioters, coming to a city near you.
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