Violent ethnic riots in France (Grenoble city)
Rioters in the French city ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ Grenoble shot at police and torched cars overnight as the authorities struggled to restore order after two days ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ violence.
The riot on the outskirts ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ the Alpine city echoed civil unrest that exploded in France in 2005, mainly in the rough suburbs that ring many ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ the country’s big cities.
In Grenoble, the violence flared on Friday after a local resident suspected ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ robbing a casino was killed in an exchange ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ fire with police in nearby Uriage-les-Bains.
On Saturday, hundreds ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ police and elite national troops patrolled the streets as unrest continued overnight.
About 16 cars were burned and in one incident, rioters shot at a police car from a building, said Brigitte Julien, a police official.
"We will not allow delinquents to rule here," said Julien. "If needed we will stay in the streets every day and every night... we must stop these attacks."
The mayor ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ Grenoble, Michel Destot, said police had arrested 19 people for offences including drug trafficking and arms possession. He described the suburb as largely immigrant and poor, with an unemployment rate ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ more that 30 percent.
"There has been a rise in the underground economy and a relatively small gang ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ youth have imposed their law and created a climate ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ extreme insecurity."
Many French cities are encircled by suburbs plagued by high unemployment, crime, poor public services and drug trafficking.
The government estimates there are as many as 500-600 such high-rise neighbourhoods. They are home to up nearly five million people, many ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ immigrant origin.
Vaya manera de enriquecer la cultura francesa. Ojalá que esta violencia sin sentido no se disemine por otras ciudades...
