France Riots Cost $33M, 7,000 Arrests
France’s youth riots have caused over $33 million in damages and led to nearly 7,000 arrests, according to government reports.
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France’s ongoing youth riots have escalated into a significant crisis, with the government estimating the cost at over $33 million and nearly 7,000 arrests. The unrest, initially sparked by student protests, has spread across the country, leading to widespread damage and violence.
Arrests and Charges
According to the Ministry of Justice, approximately 6,877 people have been arrested since the demonstrations began last month. Of these, 86 percent are under the age of 18. The number of individuals facing charges has reached 2,376, with 65 percent already brought before a judge. Authorities have also placed 21 people, including 15 adults and 6 minors, in custody.
Damage and Injuries
The Élysée Palace has reported that the riots have cost at least 30 million euros ($33 million). School facilities have been a primary target, with hundreds of buildings damaged. A school outside of Bordeaux was ransacked, with around 30 to 40 people breaking in, stealing computers worth 3,000 euros each, and setting fires. The estimated damages range between €100,000 and €200,000.
Police Targeted
Police have been a major target of the unrest. A 15-year-old boy is set to face juvenile court for allegedly attacking a female officer, with bystanders shouting “Wallah, kill her” during the incident. The Ministry of Interior reported record levels of public street violence in September, with 20,000 violent incidents recorded, or 700 per day.
Protests Spread
Although the protests are growing, the government expects the riots to slow. A student at Paris 8 University stated that the demonstrations will continue until November or December. The police have accused the far-left, including the radical La France Insoumise party, of organizing the protests. The party’s mayor in Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko, has claimed the police response is racist.
Political and Social Divisions
Opponents, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, have linked the riots to mass migration and the importation of millions of Muslims. He warned that the unrest is about Islam seeking to take over a once-great country. The protests have highlighted deepening social and political divisions within France.
Source: Breitbart
