Protests have swept across France over the killing of a young African man by police in a suburb of Paris, where NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley visited to report on the unrest. There are reports of efforts to help residents find some relief for the summer.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (Speaking in French).
In Nanterre, children now enjoy sliding down water slides and bouncing on trampolines, which is located close to the area where cars were burned and buildings were set ablaze following the tragic death of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk in a police-involved incident during a traffic stop. As part of the city’s summer initiative, a large artificial grass area called la plage, meaning “the beach,” has been established. Yousra (ph) and Sara Gaby, both mothers, observe their children playing from comfortable chaise lounge chairs situated under the cool shade of beach umbrellas. Reported by ELEANOR BEARDSLEY.
SARA GABY: (Conversing in French).
YOUSRA GABY: (Speaking in French).
“They claim, ‘The children are enjoying themselves’. ‘We are fortunate that Nanterre organizes this. It is fantastic, particularly if you are unable to go on vacation’,” BEARDSLEY states. The relatives assert that the uprisings occurred directly beneath their windows.
Y GABY: (Speaking French).
The noxious gas wafted into our unobstructed windows, causing us to be unable to sleep. Yousra Gaby asserts that there are undoubtedly certain law enforcement officers displaying racial prejudice, but she also holds the youthful protesters responsible.
They demolished their neighbors’ vehicles, the establishments where their parents purchase goods, and their very own neighborhood. However, it wasn’t the manner in which they conveyed their feelings. I comprehend their frustration,” Y GABY stated (via an interpreter).
According to Beardsley, French public swimming pools do not allow swimwear that covers the body, which means that the two Muslim women who wear veils and long robes cannot visit the neighboring pool.
(SOUNDBITE OF SOCCER BALL THUMPING).
Carole Boulegroun, whose spouse is of Algerian ancestry, asserts that there is also racial discrimination, but there are respectable police officers. Two additional Nanterre mothers who do not wear veils, as per BEARDSLEY, also acknowledge that both parties share accountability.
My son, who is an interpreter, has been stopped by the police because they believe the comments made by a little Arab boy like you are racist.
Myriam Durand, a platinum-blonde pageboy sports who watches her grandchildren play, says that America is becoming much like France, which is another problem. She also smokes.
MYRIAM DURAND: (Speaking in French).
She asks angrily, “By what authority do the police have the right to shoot someone from close range? Where do they believe they are? This is France, not the United States.” The mayor of Nanterre is reputed to be a benevolent individual and the city undertakes numerous initiatives for its residents. Nevertheless, some speculate whether citizens should be held more responsible in return. Marie-Paul Mansour, a 63-year-old Caucasian and Catholic woman, wears a crucifix around her neck. Mansour has resided in Nanterre for 35 years and raised a family in public housing. According to her, the issue is more intricate than mere racism, which is true for the majority of French citizens.
The integration of the second generation in France is not successful. Furthermore, they are also not integrated themselves. The existence of what we could refer to as ghettos is a result of the clustering of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures living in close proximity to each other. (Translated by an interpreter) MARIE-PAUL MANSOUR:
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PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON: (Speaking in French).
France must regain control. The primary takeaway from this is that France had allowed issues to persist in the identical communities for many years, acknowledged President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke this week for the initial occasion since the uprisings. BEARDSLEY: Though he made that statement.
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MACRON: (Speaking in the French language).
Beardsley stated that several police officers have been arrested for unprovoked violence, including the shooting of Merzouk, but Macron emphasized the need for “order” in France, whether the blame is on systemic racism or out-of-control youths polarizing the situation.
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UNKNOWN MUSICIAN: (Singing, unintelligible).
Lessons include street art. There are sketches. There are tabletop games. The children of various types are all present. The entire neighborhood has come out, but we are surrounded by a large amount of concrete and housing projects. In the neighborhood where Merzouk lives, a block party of a certain kind is currently taking place. It is called Beardsley.
MECHE: (Speaking in French).
He claims that the main cause of the riots is the police. Meche, whose artistic name is BEARDSLEY, lives in Nanterre and is white. He only wants to go by his professional name and is taught graffiti in a class.
MECHE: People are furious, and, naturally, they engage in some protests. From my perspective, it’s clear.
BEARDSLEY: Meche’s specialty is letters. He says his graffiti has a distinct message since the murder of a 17-year-old resident of Nanterre.
MECHE: I declare (speaking French).
BEARDSLEY: “Law enforcement officers cause death.”
Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Nanterre.
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