Posted on 11/25/2007 6:24:12 PM PST by blam
Boys' moped deaths ignite riot in Paris suburb
By Peter Allen in Paris
Last Updated: 1:59am GMT 26/11/2007
Rioting broke in one of Paris's tinder box suburban housing estates last night after two young boys were killed when their moped collided with a police car.
The scenes are reminiscent of the disturbances in 2005 which led to two months of serious rioting across much of France
Molotov cocktails were thrown, and cars and plastic bins set on fire following the tragedy in Tolinette, a notoriously crime-ridden district of Villiers-le-Bel, some 20 miles north of the centre of the French capital.
One police station was set alight and another, in a neighbouring suburb, was ransacked after youths threw cocktails, and set bins alight and upturned cars.
Officials said seven police and one firefighter had were injured and there were fears the violence, which spread to the neighbouring town of Arnouville-les-Gonesse, could also take hold in other poor, suburban enclaves.
The boys who died were said by locals to be "aged between 12 and 13".
Police insisted that their car had not been chasing the boys, and that the officer driving suffered facial injuries in the incident, which happened soon after dusk.
But the violence had grim echoes of the disturbances which followed the electrocution of two youths in a sub-station as they fled police in the nearby suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois in late 2005. It directly led to two months of serious rioting across France, with a state of emergency being declared.
After last night's deaths, residents in Tolinette said cars were being burnt out, with police fleeing the scene.
One local, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Around 100 rioters have burn at least two cars, but the forces of law and order are nowhere to be seen.
"There were four police cars here, but they've retreated. They were charged by the rioters. Some rioters are climbing up to electric cables to try and break them and put the whole district into darkness.
"The kids who died were only aged between 12 and 13. We're all trying to get the rioters to calm down, but it's hard when you're dealing with the deaths of a couple of kids, and when the police are involved."
A police spokesman later confirmed the boys' deaths, saying that next of kin would be informed before they could be named.
Police insisted that their car had not been chasing the boys
He confirmed that, as well as the police driver, a superintendent had been badly injured as he tried to put out fires started by youths in rubbish bins.
The officer also confirmed that Molotov cocktails - makeshift bombs made of bottles, petrol and an old rag for a fuse - had also been used.
"The situation is extremely tense - we are trying to contain the trouble," the spokesman added.
The trouble in 2005 was largely blamed on immigrant youths living in suburban housing projects who complained about discrimination and lack of employment opportunities.
Nicolas Sarkozy, who is now president, built up a ruthless reputation as Interior Minister for using tough policing and longer prison sentences to crack down on the trouble.
Ping.
Quoted from the article:
Police said there were reports of "small groups attacking shops, passers-by and car drivers" to rob them. One suspect was arrested carrying jewelry from a looted store, they said.
Sehhouli told AFP the rioting "was not violence but an expression of rage," saying he wanted the police officers "responsible" for the accident to be brought to justice.
So what? I always loot jewelry stores when I'm upset about unjustice. Doesn't everyone?
My family was in Paris from Thursday until last night. We did not see any of this. The idea that Paris is turning muslim is not even near true. I did not see one and we were at all the attractions. This is some weird idea that was exaggerated by someone. Anyway Paris is a great city but the atractions themselves are overrated.
could be a “My Cousin Vinny” reference :)
It is a French-Muslim thing, that lasts about 3 months; sounds better than 'The Annual Feast of The Burning Cars".
In Albania they celebrate by burning Christian churches, rectories, parsonages, and (when they can get them) priests.
I believe it translates better as "Carnival Of The Dim-Bulbs", rather than "Festival of Lights"; I'm not a linguist.
THIS time, can you see the sarcasm, even though there's no tag?
Thats exactly what I’m thinking. He’s talked the talk, now will he ‘walk the walk’?
"A whiff of grapeshot..."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.