French Police Unions Issue Incendiary Statement Amid Chaotic Situation

French Police Unions “Alliance Police Nationale” and “UNSA Police” denounced on Friday, in an inflammatory, strongly-worded statement, the violence, chaos and vandalism sweeping through France over the past four days, triggered by the killing of teenager of Maghreb origin by a policeman in Nanterre, during a routine traffic check.
“Faced with these savage hordes, asking for calm is no longer an option, it must be imposed!”, said the two unions in what seems to be an angry backlash.
The two unions also called for restoring the rule of law and neutralizing those arrested, deeming such acts the only political signals that should be given.
Now is no time for trade unionism, but rather it is high time to fight back and counter such harmful acts, they said in a critical tone towards the government. “Surrendering, capitulating, and laying down arms are not an option given the gravity of the situation,” they added.
The police will shoulder their responsibility as they are at war, wrote the statement, adding that law enforcement officers are getting in the middle of this fight with no legal protection or appropriate penal response.
More than 1,300 protesters were arrested in a fourth night of rioting as 45,000 police officers were deployed across the country in an unsuccessful attempt to curb violence.
“13 buses were targeted, 12 were completely burnt down,” said Deputy Minister for Transport Clement Beaune.
In this vein, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin called on Friday to shut down public transportation networks after 9 PM to avert a fourth night of protests, according to AFP.
The minister also called for banning the sale of firework mortars, gas cans, acids, and flammable and chemical products.
The story of Nahel, the young man who was shot dead by the French police, resembles the case of George Floyd which sparked widespread unrest in Minneapolis in 2020, with people calling out the disproportionate use of force by the US police, particularly against minorities.