They won't get much sympathy from the rest of the world if they start shooting! They likely won't get much freedom if they don't. I like Trav's idea. Supply them with guns and ammo and if they want freedom badly enough, let 'em send a message to all the would-be mullahs of the Islamic world that won't soon forgotten.
And if the French don't like it- frog 'em.
It will definitely take longer. I don't know how much of the general population is behind them (can't seem to get an accurate figure). Can't have a couple thousand renegades with guns against the rest of the population. They may need to keep up their demonstrations a while longer to gain more support of the people.