Over the past four days, protesters and rioters have taken to the streets of France after the shooting of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk. These protests have turned into looting and rioting all around France. From lighting fires to public transport, looting cars, bikes and food, and even driving into the Mayor of Paris house in the middle of the night. Things have gotten out of hand, to say the least.
What could have caused the reactions to get to the point they have? People are blaming the shooting of Nahel, but four nights of this constant turmoil shows a deeper-rooted problem with France and its youth. The average age of the people being arrested is 17, and their nationality was either first or second-generation African or Arab descent reported by Reuters.
Many people on social media are trying to say that the rioters are justified for the actions of France against the people of Algeria about 60 years ago when Algeria won its independence. By doing this, though, the rest of the world is watching on, and it could be trouble for refugees already in the Western world trying to give themselves and their families a better life.
These second-generation Immigrant French Citizens are burning down their own opportunities and futures by doing this. They are burning their buildings and looting their own grocery stores and shops. They need to look at places like Chicago and Seattle in the United States to see what happens when you do things like this. Big Corporations will pull out of that area, and it will put more of a strain on getting local amenities in their neighbourhoods.
Immigration Issues
There is a problem facing most Western countries, which is immigration issues. That is one of the most significant political talking points from the US to Europe. France being one of the most open countries, these attacks could spell a big problem for refugees that are needing to immigrate to the country in the near future.
The looting and rioting also caused French Citizens to go out to protect their property and the property of their local towns. This is causing fights and a significant divide between generational French Citizens and Immigrated French Citizens. When the next election comes, the actions of these young kids could pose a huge problem for other immigrants.
The next election could swing to whatever candidate has the hardest immigration policies. This could have a trickle-down effect as well to other European Nations. There is a far-right, more nationalistic view coming from people throughout Europe. If we start seeing more of that happening, the immigration and refugee movement could be halted as we know it.
Poland has some of the strictest immigration laws in their country compared to the rest of Europe. Since the start of these riots, Poland has been on a propaganda mission to show the difference between strict immigration and open arms policies. These videos are gaining a lot of traction on different social media platforms.
Outcome?
I don't think anyone can predict the outcome of these events. What is clear is that the divide in France between the generational French citizens and the immigrated/refugee citizens will only be worse.