Banlieue riots one year on
A burning car during the banlieue riots - taken by Francois Schnell (November 5th 2005)
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Thursday, 26, Oct 2006 08:02
On Wednesday night this week, two groups of masked youths boarded two busy buses travelling through the suburbs of Paris. Pulling out pistols, they proceeded to threaten the drivers and passengers at gunpoint before spraying gasoline throughout the carriage and then setting it ablaze.
A police union spokesman confirmed these two anarchic attacks, which came just days after several police cars and another bus were torched in broad daylight on Sunday, are all connected to the one year anniversary of the 'banlieue' riots of 2005.
One year ago to the day witnessed the first day of what would become a violent three-week riot in the Parisian suburbs, which would escalate to near civil war status, the likes of which have not be seen in France for decades.
Events were triggered by the accidental deaths of two Muslim teenagers in Clichy-sous-Bois, a working-class commune outside Paris' centre. They died after accidentally electrocuting themselves while attempting to escape chasing police.
In an area already rife with discontent over high unemployment, police harassment, and racial discrimination against immigrants, their deaths led to a period of intense disorder which gave way to regular clashes between police and youths of mainly Middle Eastern and north African origin, while countless cars and buildings were torched.
The dilapidated suburbs, known as the banlieue, became effectively war zones, no-go areas for normal police and kept at arm's length even by riot officers.
Fierce political debates about discrimination in the country emanated and a now infamous crisis was caused for presidential hopeful Nicholas Sarkozy after he labelled the rioting youths "scum".
Jacques Chirac, the French president, came under fire from all angles for not controlling the uprising but he eventually quietened the murmurs by promising hundreds of millions of euros in investment for the poorer estates. He also vowed to end job discrimination against youngsters of north African origin, as well as stopping racism among police and gang violence.
Sadly, by all accounts, and as the timely resurgence of violence alludes to, the promises have not been fulfilled by the French government. The banlieue remain areas of desolation, ridden with the same problems as those which so viciously unbalanced peace 12 months ago.
Youthful residents of the suburbs remain disillusioned. Lacking the support they crave, they feel violence is the only way to vent their frustrations and while problems are just resurfacing, they seem set to continue.
Their pleas can only be swept under the carpet by undelivered promises for so long and it will come as little surprise, therefore, to hear that French police admit to being hugely concerned by the prospect of the October 27th anniversary.