The recent incident in France where a 17-year-old was killed by the police, captured on video, has ignited protests and rioting. This event has drawn comparisons to the racial reckoning in the United States following the deaths of George Floyd and other people of color at the hands of law enforcement. Despite cultural and institutional differences, the shooting in France and the outcry that followed reveal that systemic racism and police brutality are not unique to the United States.
Tracy Ladji, an activist with SOS Racisme, highlighted the experience of individuals with foreign roots in France, stating that they are often not considered as French citizens. Racism within the police force, coupled with the embrace of far-right ideologies, has contributed to tragedies like this, and it is imperative for it to cease.
Le Monde, a French newspaper, drew parallels between this incident and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. The act of a law enforcement officer, caught on camera and involving a victim from a socially discriminated category, resonated with the events in the United States.
The French teenager, known as Nahel, was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris. Video evidence showed an officer pointing a gun at the driver, and as the teenager attempted to drive away, the officer fired a fatal shot through the windshield.
While the race of the officer involved has not been disclosed, preliminary charges of voluntary homicide have been filed against him. However, this has not quelled the riots taking place across the country, leading to numerous arrests. The officer justified his actions by claiming he feared for his and his colleague’s safety.
Nahel’s grandmother, interviewed by Algerian television Ennahar TV, revealed their Algerian roots. Nahel’s mother, on France 5 television, expressed anger towards the specific officer involved rather than the police force as a whole.
Although police shootings in France are not as prevalent as in the United States, they have been increasing since 2017. The rise is attributed to a law that relaxed restrictions on lethal force against drivers following a series of terrorist attacks involving vehicles. Moreover, French police have faced criticism for their use of violent tactics.
Different from the United States, France does not collect data on race and ethnicity, adhering to an approach of colorblind universalism. Critics argue that this approach has masked systemic racism that exists in the country.
The shooting video, which contradicted initial police statements, prompted swift condemnation from leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who deemed it “inexcusable” even before charges were filed. It is a familiar response for Americans who have witnessed similar reactions following incidents of police violence, often captured on video.
Compared to the United States, French police receive shorter training duration of around 10 months. However, they do not undergo the same implicit bias training that many American police officers do in an effort to address issues in diverse communities. The effectiveness of such training has been a subject of debate in the United States.
France, like other European countries, has a growing population of African, Arab, and Asian descent. Stacie Keesee, co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity, pointed out that countries with a colonial past often struggle to address race-related issues effectively due to the associated stigma.
Bertrand Cavallier, former commander of France’s national gendarmerie training school, emphasized that the actions of one officer should not be used to judge the entire law enforcement system. The arrest of the officer sends a clear message about the government’s stance on accountability.
The incident in France has once again exposed the deep-rooted problems of police racism, brutality, and impunity. Comparative studies by experts like Paul Hirschfield from Rutgers University highlight the persistent challenges faced by France in addressing these issues.
Associated Press writers Alex Turnbull and Jeffrey Schaeffer in Nanterre, France, contributed to this report.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
