As if France hasn't suffered enough riots lately related to the Moroccan team's victories and ultimate defeat in the World Cup, New Year's Eve has become a time for mostly immigrant youths to riot, attack police, and burn cars. It's become kind of like the ball that descends over Times Square in New York at the strike of 12. It's been going on every New Year's Eve for several years now.
This year was no exception, but France's feckless Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, is declaring victory because there was a 21% decrease in the number of cars burned around the nation on New Year's Eve, a "historic decrease", according to Darmanin. (Arrests were up this year, however.)
Below is the text of Darmanin's press release, translated by Fousesquawk.
Press release 12-1-23
New Year's Eve: Historic decrease in number of burned cars
Gerald Darmanin, Minister of Interior and (Overseas possessions), profoundly thanks the police, gendarmes, sappers-firefighters, Vigipirate military personnel, as well as personnel of civil security engaged over the course of the previous night to look after the security of the French people during New Year's Eve.
Thanks to the mobilization of 90,000 police and gendarmes across the national territory, the number of vehicles burned is at a historic decrease of 21% compared to the previous year. 690 vehicles, were burned, compared to 874 in 2022. The resolute action of the police (has resulted in) a downward trend in the number of vehicles set on fire in the last few years since in 2019, 1316 vehicles had been set on fire (2020 not being comparable due to a curfew imposed on the population). On the other hand, police and gendarmes carried out 490 arrests (441 in 2021) an increase of 11%.
In conformance with the instructions of the Minister of Interior and (Overseas Possessions), the National Police and National Gendarmes have fully assured national order this New Year's Eve. The year 2022, thus, has become that in which New Year's Eve has seen the fewest cars burned and the most arrests. In this sense, the police have allowed our fellow citizens to participate in these festivities throughout the territory in a serene climate.
Gerald Darmanin extends all his support to personnel injured in their duties as well as their families.
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Contrary to Darmanin's positive spin, the French blog, Francois DeSouche, has a different take. DeSouche has compiled a list of cities that suffered riots and fires using local news sources. There are lots of videos. There is way too much for this humble site to translate, but the videos pretty much need no translation. We are translating just the headline of the below link.
New Year's Eve- Mortars fired-Molotov cocktails- cars burned and fires all over France- a Gendarmerie post attacked- Children's home (set) on fire
We are also translating one of the articles describing the midnight merriment, in this case from Nantes. The article is from the news source, Ouest France (West France).
Cars burned and police targeted by mortars, a restless New Year's Eve in Nantes
The night of Saturday, 31 December to Sunday, January 1 was shaken by some urban violence in several (parts) of Nantes. Some cars were set on fire, at least about 20 according to our information, and mobile gendarme vehicles were targeted by thrown Molotov cocktails and shots of mortar fireworks in the Malakoff quarter.
The mortar fireworks started to explode in the sky over Nantes at 10 pm Saturday, 31 December when police and firefighters rushed into the Halveque quarter of Nantes. The first car on fire on New Year's Eve was reported on Boulevard du Professor Rene-Auvigne.
At 11 pm, there are three cars on fire which were set on fire in a parking lot in front of Sillon de Bretagne, in St Herblain. Upon arrival, first responders are met by mortar fire. Then at the foot of an apartment building, two young men on a scooter aim in the air.
"Incivilities" in the Pin-Sec quarter forced Tan to temporarily cut off Number 1 Tram line between Souillardene and Beaujoire.
Other burned cars would necessitate the intervention of firefighters all night in several Nantes districts. According to our information, some 30 cars were destroyed by flames on this night of the change of year. This was still being reported in Malakoff shortly before 5 am.
In this quarter on the banks of the Loire, urban violence was reported beyond midnight. The mobile gendarmes, who were positioned in "security" between the buildings, were attacked by several individuals for several hours.
They were hit by projectiles and even Molotov cocktails, reported an officer at the scene. The police responded with tear gas grenades. It remained tense all night.
This Sunday morning, January 1st, the police indicate that 15 persons were arrested in connection with this urban violence and are presently in custody. (This) includes 9 charged with possession, transport, and use of firework mortars. The prefect had signed a prohibition concerning these pyrotechnic devices.
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