Following widespread anti-police riots, the French government has prohibited the sale of fireworks leading up to Bastille Day celebrations. A government decree, published Sunday in the Official Journal of the French Republic, states that the sale, transport, carrying, and use of pyrotechnic articles and fireworks are banned nationwide until July 15th to mitigate potential public disorder during the July 14th festivities. This ban excludes licensed professionals and authorized public displays for Bastille Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, in a recent interview, emphasized the government's commitment to deploying substantial resources to safeguard the public during the potentially volatile period of July 13th and 14th. This follows six consecutive nights of unrest, including arson, looting, and widespread property damage, triggered by the June 27th fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk during a traffic stop in Nanterre.
Official figures reveal over 3,700 arrests, with a significant number being minors, connected to the demonstrations following Merzouk's death. President Emmanuel Macron has pointed to social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat as contributing factors to the widespread violence, alleging their role in disseminating information about obtaining incendiary devices.
The recent unrest, considered the most severe since 2005, has resulted in over 800 law enforcement injuries and an estimated $1 billion in damages. Unlike previous instances of urban violence in France, these riots notably extended beyond major cities, impacting smaller towns and rural areas. Reports emerged of attacks on police barracks and property damage in communities like Quissac and L'Aigle, highlighting the widespread nature of the unrest.
The escalating violence and uncivil behavior, even in smaller communities, presents a complex challenge for French authorities as they prepare for Bastille Day.
