November 5, 2005
French rioters organize via Internet and cell phones
Hit-and-run arson attacks escalated in poor Paris suburbs as the government met to work out a response to nine nights of urban violence that has spawned copycat unrest in major towns. The Leading the Charge reprots.
... Overnight, rioters burned almost 900 vehicles in the Paris region and large provincial cities like Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Pau, Rennes, Toulouse and Lille, the highest total since unrest sparked by the deaths of two youths apparently fleeing police.
The violence has been seen as the expression of pent-up anger by youths, many Muslims of North African and black African origin, at police treatment, racism, unemployment and their marginal place in French society.
Overnight, police arrested 258 suspects and drafted in a helicopter in the Paris region to film events. While fewer clashes with youths were reported, judicial officials said the unrest was being organized via the Internet and mobile phones.
"Without question what is taking place bears all the hallmarks of being coordinated," Yves Bot, the Paris public prosecutor, told Europe 1 radio. "
Picture from Le Monde.
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