The night of December 31 was marred by urban unrest in Strasbourg, with twelve individuals apprehended and two police officers sustaining minor injuries, as reported by the prefecture and police on Saturday, January 1. A prefectural decree had been issued, establishing a curfew for unaccompanied minors under 16 in the Alsatian capital and six neighboring towns, effective from December 31 to January 1.
According to the prefecture, the police encountered “Intense activity”, as stated at 12:30 a.m. to Agence France-Presse. In the popular district of Hautepierre, the police utilized “Grenades to counter mortar fire and disperse the crowd”. The Bas-Rhin police force stated on Twitter that “So far, 12 people have been arrested, with four instances related to urban violence”. Additionally, the police force expressed regret over “2 police officers sustaining minor injuries due to firecracker projectiles and a damaged police vehicle, but we will remain vigilant, stronger than ever!”.
Mortar fire
In Lingolsheim, on the outskirts of Strasbourg, a man was swiftly apprehended after allegedly “Firing a mortar at a BAC vehicle”, as reported by the same source. Furthermore, multiple vehicles were set ablaze in various neighborhoods.
“A party with 200-300 attendees “was discovered in a sublet restaurant in Schiltigheim, near Strasbourg. Additionally, “Mortar fire at police officers” occurred in the parking lot of a supermarket in the same town.
“Individuals are engaging in confrontations, exhibiting significant distrust towards the police and a desire to provoke them. None of the implemented measures are being respected, including the curfew for minors, the use of fireworks, and other regulations”, lamented the source.
Six units of mobile forces (UFM), comprising 360 officials, were mobilized for New Year’s Eve, in addition to nearly 400 police officers and a “hundred” soldiers of Operation Sentinel. Across the department, a total of 1,950 police, firefighters, and soldiers were deployed.
Four prefectural decrees were recently issued, including one prohibiting the sale and use of firecrackers and fireworks, which are extremely popular in Alsace and neighboring Germany during New Year’s Eve. Last year, a young man lost his life when his head was struck by a mortar.
Analysis of Recent Unrest in Strasbourg, France
As we welcome a new year, the city of Strasbourg, France, has been marred by urban unrest, resulting in the apprehension of twelve individuals and minor injuries to two police officers. This recent incident has sparked concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement measures in the country.
The prefectural decree imposing a curfew for unaccompanied minors under 16 in Strasbourg and six neighboring towns was aimed at maintaining order on New Year’s Eve. However, it appears that this measure did not completely prevent the outbreak of violence. The use of “grenades to counter mortar fire and disperse the crowd” in the Hautepierre district, as reported by the prefecture, indicates the intensity of the situation.
This incident is not an isolated event in France, where protests and unrest have become a recurring theme in recent years. Just a few months ago, thousands of people took to the streets in Paris and other cities, including Strasbourg, to protest against President Macron’s rejection of the left’s demands [[1]]. The city of Strasbourg has also seen tractor protests earlier this year, where farmers demonstrated against proposed pesticide cuts, leading to the European Commission President’s withdrawal of the proposal [[2]].
The history of urban unrest in France dates back to the 2005 French riots, which involved youth in violent attacks and the burning of cars and public buildings [[3]]. These riots, which started in Clichy-sous-Bois, were a reminder of the social and economic tensions simmering beneath the surface of French society.
The recent unrest in Strasbourg serves as a wake-up call for the French authorities to address the underlying issues driving these outbreaks of violence. The imposition of curfews and the use of force to disperse crowds may provide temporary solutions, but they do not address the root causes of these social unrests. It is essential for the government to engage in constructive dialogue with the affected communities and implement policies that promote social inclusion, economic growth, and public safety.
As a blog news writer, I urge the French authorities to take a comprehensive approach to addressing these issues, rather than relying solely on law enforcement measures. By doing so, we can hope to reduce the frequency and severity of urban unrest in Strasbourg and other parts of France.
References:
[[1]]https://www.politico.eu/article/thousands-protest-across-france-after-macron-rejects-lefts-demands/
[[2]]https://www.eunews.it/en/2024/02/06/tractors-protest-in-strasbourg-von-der-leyen-withdraws-proposal-on-pesticide-cut/
[[3]]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005Frenchriots
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