One million euros now
Fundraising campaign for French police officers causes criticism
7/3/2023, 6:12 p.m
After fatal shots at a 17-year-old in a Parisian suburb, the policeman is in custody. A right-wing moderator collects donations for his family. So far, one million euros has been raised. The French Minister of Justice is not very enthusiastic.
A call for donations for the family of the police officer who shot and killed a 17-year-old during a traffic stop in France has sparked criticism in France. This action does not serve to calm the situation, French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti told the France Inter broadcaster. By early morning, donations had reached one million euros.
The call for donations came from the TV commentator Jean Messiha, who is known for his right-wing extremist views. The money is dedicated to Florian M.’s family, “who did his job and is now paying a high price for it,” says the call for donations on the GoFundMe online platform. Police officer Florian M. is currently in custody on suspicion of intentional killing.
“Kill Arabs and you will become a millionaire”
So far, more than 40,000 people have taken part in the fundraising campaign “for the family of the Nanterre police officer”, the highest anonymous single donation is 3000 euros. Messiha was pleased on Twitter that his call had raised more donations than a fundraiser for the family of the 17-year-old who was killed.
“So the message is: kill Arabs and you’ll become a millionaire,” left-wing MP David Guiraud wrote on Twitter. The GoFundMe platform said on Monday that the fundraiser did not violate its rules. “The money goes directly to the family,” said a company spokesman for the newspaper “Le Figaro”.
On June 27, the police officer stopped 17-year-old Nahel M. in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, who was driving a Mercedes without a license. Video shows him shooting at him from close range as the car started to move. A third person who was found in the car and was being sought reported to the police in the morning and was questioned.
3200 arrests
According to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, around 3,200 people were arrested from Tuesday to Sunday. The average age is 17, but 12- and 13-year-olds have also set fires or attacked security forces, the minister said. The death of a young firefighter on Monday night in Saint-Denis was not initially associated with the riots.
Town halls across the country blared their sirens after the suspected arson attack on a mayor’s home during the riots in France. In numerous places, citizens gathered in front of the town halls at noon to show their solidarity. Barely a week after the fatal shot, the riots abate somewhat, but the situation remains tense.
Macron plans meetings with 220 mayors
“We stand in solidarity with all those who have been victims of violence,” said Nanterre Mayor Patrick Jarry. “We hope for justice for Nahel,” he added. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo spoke of a “lack of brotherhood” that could be felt. French President Emmanuel Macron wants to meet 220 mayors affected by the riots on Tuesday.
The ongoing unrest has plunged Macron’s government into another serious crisis in the wake of Yellow Vest protests and against his pension reforms. Among other things, the President was forced to cancel his state visit to Germany, which was planned for Sunday.