---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2005 09:06:41 -0600 From: Dean Ferguson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: French History discussion group <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Paris unrest
From: hsimmons [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 8:54 AM Subject: Paris unrest The riots in France are similar to but also different from urban riots that took place in the U.S. Similarities: Watts and the Rodney King riots were both triggered (but no caused) by confrontation between police and ghetto residents. Same in France. Lots of similarities between socio-economic situation of rioters in U.S. and France: urban, unemployed, disaffected youth turning against everything that smacked of authority. The depth of hatred of authority is, I think, dramatically illustrated by attacks on fire personnel. What other than sheer detestation of anyone wearing a uniform that symbolizes government authority can explain attacking those who have come to put out fires that might threaten one's own life, those of relatives or friends, or could destroy local infrastructure? Rioters identified by race and colour in both countries, with the added factor of religion (Islam) as a descriptive factor in case of French rioters. Differences: Reports I have seen have made no mention of looting in the case of the French riots whereas there was widespread looting in Watts and Los Angeles. Is that the case, and if so, why the difference? Religion: Reports that a tear gas grenade was thrown at, or into a mosque inflamed (literally) the rioters. From what I can make out religion played no role at all in U.S. urban riots, except that preachers called for calm. In U.S. case both government and private sector promised attempts to improve conditions in ghettos. In France, government has emphasized restoration of order above all else. In France, Sarkozy is supposed to have commented that riots now call in to question French model of immigration. No such remarks could be possible in the U.S. case. In France, the government is now in a very dangerous spot. If it talks about socio-economic measures as a way to improve conditions in les banlieues, it risks further alienating the twenty percent who voted for Le Pen in the last election as well as losing a lot of support from centre-right supporters who want the government to get tough.. On the other hand, by imposing a curfew and taking a tough line, it follows Le Pen's suggestion that a state of emergency be declared, and it boosts the far right case that immigration policy is a failure (even though most rioters are probably French citizens). In U.S. there was, and is, no party (except perhaps for Pat Buchanan's grouplet) on the extreme right to which the major parties had to, or now, must pander. Harvey Simmons Toronto
