France awakens under curfew

CNN ^ | November 9, 2005

[ncountylee]

Emergency law dampens but doesn't extinguish violence

PARIS, France (CNN) -- Violence flared in parts of France for a 13th night, but the rioting seemed to have tapered off from previous nights -- a possible sign that emergency measures have helped restore calm.

Less than 600 vehicles were burned overnight, French state radio reported -- a marked decrease from Saturday, when more than 1,400 were burned. In addition, there were fewer clashes between police and rioters.

But rioting still flared violently in many areas. Lyon's subway system -- the second-largest in the country -- had to be shut down after a gasoline bomb was thrown at a train station, according to French media reports.

A number of cities established curfews in an effort to quell the violence, and some banned the sale of gasoline to minors, as the majority of the rioters were thought to be youth.

The curfews will allow police to jail rioters for up to two months.

The violence began October 27 as a riot by citizens in a northeast Paris suburb angry over the accidental electrocutions of two teenagers, of Mauritanian and Tunisian descent.

It has grown into a nationwide insurrection by disillusioned suburban youths, many of them French-born children of immigrants.

De Villepin reacts

On Tuesday, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced a sweeping package of reforms aimed at stopping the violence, as well as treating the social ills it stems from.

[cowboyway]

de Villepin announced a sweeping package of reforms aimed at stopping the violence, as well as treating the social ills it stems from.

I smell payoffs, aka, more appeasement.

I guess that would be called 'entitlements' in the US.

[A CA Guy]

So have all the French converted to Muslim yet like Napoleon Bonaparte did or are they all expected to die instead for the sake of a Muslim peace.

[itsinthebag]

In order for French society to provide the same changes and opportunities to all its citizens, said de Villepin, 30 billion euros will be spent in France's riot zones, with the focus primarily on helping young people.

Spend 30 billion? And then what? Throwing money in this sinkhole didn't work before, it won't work now.

[ncountylee]

600 (if CNN can be believed) cars burned along with the subway shut down in Lyon is hardly a quite evening.

[BnBlFlag]

Ooooh! I bet the're really scared now. We're seeing the crumbling of Western Civilization (or at least what's left of it) before our very eyes. The French are totally flaccid with almost no resistance being put up. It is a sickening thing to watch.

[Ashamed Canadian]

Well, if the rest of the world reacts as limply as the French have when our turn comes, we truly are doomed.

[son of caesar]

jeepers, just how long can a young man expend energy on these levels anyways? THEY ARE JUST TIRED, this is perfectly normal after 13 days of extreme fun. the french have got to be the stupidest people on earth, even way more stupid than the yutes who are rioting. wearing down the opponent by letting him destroy your world is not a good way to win.

[SIDENET]

insurrection by disillusioned suburban youths

CNN steadfastly clinging to this lie.

[muawiyah]

Recalling that France is still suffering from an extensive economic recession, lots of folks can't afford to buy a new car because their "trade in" values on the old one are insufficient.

So, the Algerians are burning automobiles ~ doesn't mean a Frenchman can't do that too, and in the Algerian neighborhood to boot!

The insurance recovery will be worth much more than the current "trade in" value because, alas, there was this valuable camera, and stamp collection, and a wheel of cheese in the backseat!

[JustAnotherOkie]

Don't worry france, Ford and GM have a lot of unsold SUV's on the way.