Macron Calls for Responsibility from Parents and Social Media Platforms Amidst Riots

Macron Holds Parents and Social Media Responsible

France's President Macron has called for the removal of calls for violence on social media following the third consecutive night of riots. He also appealed to parents to take responsibility. However, he did not declare a national emergency.

68 Arrests in Anti-Mafia Operation

The police in Italy have once again cracked down on the Calabrian Mafia, with 68 individuals being arrested. All of them are suspected of working for the 'Ndrangheta and engaging in drug trafficking and extortion.

Assets Seized in Anti-Mafia Operation

As part of a major operation against organized crime, 68 suspected mobsters have been arrested in Italy. They are believed to have connections to the Calabrian Mafia, known as the 'Ndrangheta, and are accused of participating in international drug trafficking. Many of the suspects are also accused of other crimes such as extortion and assault. Assets worth a total of around five million euros have been seized.

Macron Calls for Responsibility from Parents and Social Media

Following the third night of unrest throughout France, President Emmanuel Macron explicitly addressed parents in the country. He stated that one-third of those arrested during the previous night were very young, and he urged all mothers and fathers to fulfill their responsibilities. Macron expressed concern that the youth were acting out what they had absorbed from video games on the streets.

No National Emergency Declared

Observers had speculated that Macron might declare a national emergency after the crisis meeting. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne had previously announced that "all hypotheses" would be considered to quickly restore "republican order," including the possibility of declaring a nationwide state of emergency. However, the French government initially decided to deploy "additional resources" through the Ministry of the Interior, without providing further details. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin later announced the deployment of 45,000 security forces for the evening, stating that they would be on duty throughout the country.

Public Transportation Suspended at Night

Bus and tram services throughout France will no longer operate in the evenings. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has instructed the prefects in each region to halt the transportation services from 9 PM, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior.

Furthermore, in the most affected regions, festivals and gatherings are being canceled. Macron stated, "We have decided to cancel several festivals and gatherings in the most affected departments to protect town halls and our fellow citizens."

Sale of Fireworks and Hazardous Products Prohibited

Nationwide, the sale of fireworks, gasoline canisters, and inflammable and chemical products will be systematically prevented, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

Travel Advisories Updated

The German Foreign Office has updated its travel and safety advisories for France due to the severe riots. The advisory instructs travelers to stay informed about the current situation in their place of stay and to avoid areas of violent clashes. This applies to certain neighborhoods and suburbs of Paris, particularly Nanterre, as well as other major cities in France.

"Violent Gatherings Organized on Social Media"

The President blamed social media platforms for the escalation of violence in recent days, stating that violent gatherings were being organized online. He emphasized the need to work with platform operators to delete sensitive content and, in some cases, identify those responsible for posting such content. Macron also expressed the belief that some youths were imitating video games on the streets.

Despite increased security measures, clashes with the police occurred in several cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Lille. Cars were set on fire, and barricades were erected on the streets. In Paris, shop windows were smashed. In Aubervilliers near the capital, multiple buses were set ablaze, leading to temporary suspension or limited service of several bus lines.

In Grenoble, a bus was attacked with fireworks, prompting public transport workers to strike. In the port city of Marseille, hundreds of protesters clashed with the police, and stores were looted. Tear gas was fired by the police during confrontations with young people, as reported by "La Provence" newspaper.

875 People Arrested: Night of Unrest in France

According to the Ministry of Interior, 875 individuals were arrested during the night, with 408 of them detained in Paris and its suburbs.

"In the past night, our police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters once again courageously confronted extraordinary violence," said Interior Minister Darmanin. He commended all members of the police and gendarmerie who, following his instructions, took a tough stance against the rioters. He expressed gratitude to those who confronted violence with bravery once again in the previous night.

As reported by "Le Monde," Valérie Pécresse, the President of the Regional Council of Île-de-France, announced emergency aid amounting to 20 million euros. This sum aims to swiftly repair the damages caused in the region, including Paris.

17-Year-Old Fatally Shot by Police Officer

Three days ago, a 17-year-old of North African descent was killed by a police officer's gunshot in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre.

A motorcycle patrol had stopped the teenager on Tuesday morning while he was driving a car. When he suddenly accelerated, the fatal shot was fired from the officer's service weapon.

The public prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation against the officer for suspected manslaughter. He has been placed in custody. The use of the weapon during the control was deemed unjustified, according to the public prosecutor's office.

Macron criticized the instrumentalization of the "death of a young person that we all mourn." He strongly condemned those who exploit this situation to attack the institutions of the Republic, stating that they bear a heavy responsibility.