From: hsimmons [mailto:hsimmons@yorku.ca]
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