France unrest: Mayors urge ‘mobilization’ against nationwide protests

Mayors in France have called for a mobilization to help quell angry protests sweeping the country over the fatal shooting of a teenager of African origin by police last week.

France has been rocked by a wave of protests since last week after Nahel M, a 17-year-old boy of Algerian origin, was killed by French police during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre.

On the sixth consecutive day of the protests, the national association of the country's mayors urged citizens to gather at their local town halls on Monday to show support for “for a return to republican order.”

In a statement, the association said: "Everywhere in France are the scene of serious unrest, which targets republican symbols with extreme violence."

Local elected officials gathered for a rally at the Paris City Hall on Monday to denounce the violent disturbances, in particular an attack on the private home of Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of a Paris suburb, on Saturday night.

Paris Mayor Ann Hidalgo gave brief remarks condemning the violence in the gathering.

MG