France: The Police State targetted!

Statement by Alternative Libertaire

Over these last few days several towns in the Val-d'Oise have been witnessing confrontations between local youths and the police. The death of two teenagers, Larami and Moushin, on Sunday 25th November in Villiers-le-Bel following the collision between their motorbike and a police car started the reaction. [ Français ]

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The Police State targetted!

Over these last few days several towns in the Val-d'Oise have been witnessing confrontations between local youths and the police. The death of two teenagers, Larami and Moushin, on Sunday 25th November in Villiers-le-Bel following the collision between their motorbike and a police car started the reaction. It is the institution of the police which is the target for the demonstrators' anger, although public services (school, library) and cars have also been destroyed.

The exact circumstances of the collision and the attitude of the police officers involved are for the moment not clear. There is reason to believe that the investigation into the police responsibility in the matter will not be delayed. The families of the two dead teenagers are demanding that light be shed on the drama. Furthermore, the solidarity and the desire for justice of local residents enabled physical evidence at the scene of the "supposed accident" to be preserved. Several hundred people quickly demonstrated in Villiers-le-Bel, demanding "Justice and truth for Larami and Moushin!".

Two years after the riots in the autumn of 2005, social violence and police repression still affect residents in the working-class areas. The State is dismantling public services and its police force carries out on-the-spot identity checks, intimidates and threatens. Revolt against social injustice and police impunity is legitimate. Alternative Libertaire demands the immediate release and the dropping of charges against all those who have been arrested or sentenced as a result of the protests which followed the death of the two teenagers.

Alternative Libertaire

28 November 2007

Translation by FdCA - International Relations Office