Violent Protests in France Subside... Reconstruction Begins for Over 2,000 Shops and Public Facilities

Violent protests that swept across France following a police shooting incident involving a teenager have entered a second day of lull. French authorities have begun preparing legal and financial support for the reconstruction of public buildings, urban infrastructure, and private businesses damaged by the protests.

According to the French employers' federation Medef on the 4th (local time), more than 2,000 private businesses have suffered severe economic losses due to the violent protests in France, estimating that damages from arson and looting could reach at least $1 billion. They also noted that the economic losses could increase depending on the progress of recovery efforts. French insurance companies reported receiving over 5,900 insurance claims in the past week, amounting to 280 million euros (approximately 356 billion KRW).

According to the French government’s tally, so far 200 grocery stores, 436 tobacco shops, 370 bank branches, as well as dozens of fitness centers and clothing stores have been attacked or looted. Foreign media have predicted that shops, which had just begun to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, will face difficulties in restoration due to the recent events.

Authorities have also initiated procedures for urban reconstruction. President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting at the ?lys?e Palace with 241 mayors from affected areas in the afternoon. In front of the mayors, President Macron reportedly said, "Cautiously, the peak we saw in the past few days has passed," adding, "We all want a sustained order of the Republic, and that is an absolute priority." He promised to enact laws to quickly rebuild damaged buildings and public transportation, and to provide financial support necessary for repairing roads, public facilities, and schools.

President Macron made a surprise visit late at night to a police station in Paris’s 17th arrondissement, staying until dawn the next day to encourage police officers, urging them to "maintain maximum vigilance."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The protests were triggered by the death of a 17-year-old Algerian-French boy known only as Nael, who was shot by police after fleeing when stopped for a traffic violation on the 27th of last month. From the day after Nael’s death on the 28th, violent protests marked by arson and looting erupted nightly across France.

Protesters continued aggressive demonstrations by setting fire to public institution buildings such as police stations and shops, prompting authorities to deploy approximately 45,000 police officers on the streets. The Ministry of the Interior announced that 72 protesters were arrested nationwide overnight. This is half the number compared to the 157 arrests made during the night between the 2nd and 3rd.

The highest number of arrests, totaling 1,311, occurred between the 30th of last month and the 1st of this month when the protests peaked, but the number of arrests has rapidly decreased to 719 and then 157 in the following days. Four police stations were attacked overnight, but no injuries were reported. A total of 159 cars were burned, and 24 buildings were damaged or set on fire. There were 202 fire reports from public places.

Since the protests began on the 27th of last month, police have arrested a total of 3,490 people across France. A total of 5,892 cars were burned, 1,105 buildings suffered fire damage, and there were approximately 270 attacks on police stations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.