42.12% Believe That Response To Racial Violence In France Is Unleashing Violence Against Rich

On June 27, 2023, Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old French citizen of Algerian and Moroccan descent, was fatally shot dead by police during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, which led to widespread riots and protests in France. Real Research published a survey on the France Riots to gauge the public’s opinion on the France Riots.

Highlights

• 49.4% of respondents were extremely concerned about France riots.
• 17.79% believe the police should be educated that their duty is not to punish but to uphold French values to protect civilians.
• 38.13% did not believe either the online video or the policemen’s story of the events were credible.

France riots, does it affect the people?

The opening question was to understand if the public were aware of France Riots.  67.75% of the survey respondents said, “Yes, I’m aware,” while 32.25% responded that they weren’t.

Since the shooting, France has been in a state of nationwide unrest. Mayor Vincent Jenbrun’s home was attacked, public buses and tram services were shut down, public demonstrations were banned, and the sale and carrying of powerful fireworks, canisters of gasoline, acids, flammable liquids, and other chemicals were banned.

The survey asked the respondents if they were concerned about the France Riots. Almost half of the responses were that they were extremely concerned (49.4%), while 30.61% were somewhat concerned, and 19.99% said that it was not at all their concern.

What is the truth of the matter?

There were two accounts of the incident; one where the police officer claimed that Merzouk committed traffic violations, refused to comply with officers, and posed a threat to them. The other account was of a video that surfaced online indicating that Merzouk and his car did not pose a threat to the officers.

The online survey app asked the public about which version of events they found credible regarding the incident. The maximum votes came from people who did not believe either of these accounts (38.13%), while 34.56% believed that the video that surfaced online was credible, and the least votes came from people who believed that the police officer’s account was credible (27.31%).

The police officer initially stated that he feared someone might be hit by Merzouk’s car, including himself and his colleague. In this regard, the online survey platform asked the public if they agreed that shooting a 17-year-old driver was a justified act if the officer’s statement were to be considered true. 39.9% felt it was a warranted response, while 33.82% thought it was not a justified response, and 26.29% were unsure.

Racial violence in France

The actions of the police were viewed as an act of racial violence and discrimination against the poor. In return, some French locals resorted to violence against the rich and caused France Riots. Real Research asked the respondents if they agreed with the public’s actions. The majority (42.12%) strongly believed that it was a warranted response, while another group didn’t think it was a justified response (28.9%), and the rest were unsure (28.97%).

As per media records, this is the third occurrence of such racial violence from the police in France this year. Records of more such incidents from 2021, 2020, and 2017 were cited by a police spokesperson.

The survey asked the public’s opinion about which of the following actions or measures were most needed to end racial violence in France. 16.44% believed harsher punishments should be given to police officers who commit racial violence, 16.96% believed the legislative reforms would explicitly prohibit racial profiling, discrimination, and excessive use of force, 17.79% believed the police should be educated that their duty is not to punish but to uphold French values to protect the civilians, 14.26% thought community policing and diversity recruitment would help build trust and understanding, 15.93% felt no actions or measures are needed,  and 18.63% picked the option “Other”.

France riots being controlled by brute force

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, has deployed more than 40,000 officers to control the France Riots with specialized elite units, armored vehicles, and helicopters to reinforce its three largest cities.

Real Research asked the public if they believed brute force would be the answer to the outburst of the nation. Most of the respondents strongly believed the leaders should be making a bold stand (38.44%), while the others didn’t think this is how the citizens of a country should be treated (34.2%), and the rest were unsure (27.36%).