10 November, 2005

La Rage

This entry is written by my boss. He cannot help expressing anger over the French government. Here is France's riot story.

***

The violence began as Bouna Traore (15), and Zyed Benna (17) from Clichy-sou-Bois, were accidentaly killed in an electricity substation while fleeing from police on the night of Oct 27. The increasing unrest now enters its 15th night, and is spreading across the nation.

A crime offensive had just been launched a month prior, by Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. The intention was to provide "cleansing" of the problematic suburbs of Paris by depolying the infamous CRS, the specially trained French riot police who have "cart blanche" to arrest and assault anyone considered suspicious.

It is quite apparent now that the heavy handed police have only made things worse.

Areas such as Clichy-sous-Bois lack education, jobs, and welfare. Unemployment reaches up to 25%. It is an established fact that the youths from such areas (referred to as "scum" by Mr. Sarkozy) face tough discrimination from the French society (which proclaims it's ideals to be "Freedom, Equality, and Brotherhood"), making it difficult for them to find descent work or housing.

The problem roots deep, as France fails to keep its promise of a stable economy to the African immigrants invited over 3 decades ago. The government of this now ethnically rich nation parks many of these immigrants in the poorest subururban slums, and hides them from the white French society.

Now the children of these immigrants, born into this neglected situation, are asking for dignity and treatment as human beings, setting cities ablaze again tonight, just to be heard and just to be seen.

***

He suggests me to watch this DVD, LA HAINE.

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