As France grapples with widespread unrest following the police shooting of a 17-year-old, a video of President Emmanuel Macron attending an Elton John concert has ignited controversy. The footage, circulated on social media, shows Macron enjoying the music amidst escalating protests across the nation.
The incident that sparked the protests involved the death of a teenager, identified as Nahel, during a traffic stop. Video of the event quickly spread, fueling outrage and demonstrations in many communities. Over several days, hundreds of arrests have been made, and numerous police officers have been injured.
The timing of Macron's concert attendance, while the country experienced widespread unrest, drew criticism from opposition figures like Thierry Mariani of National Rally, who labeled Macron's actions "totally irresponsible." A photo of Macron and his wife with Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, further fueled the controversy.
In response to the escalating violence, authorities significantly increased police presence in affected areas, deploying 45,000 officers. The officer involved in the shooting has been charged with voluntary homicide after an initial investigation indicated that the use of the weapon was not justified.
The unrest has seen rioters targeting public buildings, including schools, police stations, and town halls. Demonstrations, initially peaceful, have descended into violence after sunset, with clashes between protesters and police becoming increasingly frequent. Hundreds of arrests have been made, and numerous officers have sustained injuries.
Macron has condemned the violence as "absolutely unjustifiable" and expressed concern over the targeting of public institutions. The intensity and scale of the urban violence have been described as unprecedented in recent years.
