Although the incendiary response to the police killing of 17-. year-old Moroccan Algerian youth Nahel Merzouk last month has cooled, anger about the perceived impunity over police killings remains, in spite of state attempts to quell it. (1)
A prime example is the (ultimately failed) attempt to ban the annual march in memory of Bro. Adama Traoré, killed by police in 2016, because according to the authorities it was “likely to attract radical elements with a view to committing acts of violence.” (2) The march passed off peacefully even while the French police continue to engage in a “frightening number of violent incidents.” (3)
Assa Traoré, Adama’s sister who has led the justice campaign in his memory was scathing: “They allow neo-Nazis to march, but not us. France cannot give moral lessons: its police is racist; its police is violent,” (4) Indeed, with a kill rate of more than one a month, French are the most lethal in Europe. (5) Some suggest that the reason for the killings of the likes of Adama Traoré and Nahel Merzouk is due to a “particular ideology and practice has decreed them ‘killable.” (6)
In order to secure justice for Nahel and the numerous other victims, human rights group Amnesty International has called on the French government to establish an independent body to investigate complaints against law-enforcement officers and to “end their dangerous denial of the effects of systemic racism in law enforcement.” (7)
However, the French government’s colonial legacy, typified by the “monetary imperialism” of the CFA Franc may be too entrenched (as well as lucrative) to give up, in spite of growing opposition from Pan-Afrikanists and even European colleagues. (8)
(1) Kim Willsher (08/07/23) Hundreds gather in Paris to honour black man who died in police custody. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/08/france-protesters-plan-marches-police-violence-memorial-rally-ban
(2) Ibid.
(3) Rafik Chekkat (16/07/23) France riots: In the banlieues, race and class intersect. https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/france-banlieues-race-class-intersect
(4) Saumya joshi (09/07/23) Thousands Gather In France In Support Of Black Man Who Died In Police Custody. https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/europe/thousands-gather-in-france-in-support-of-black-man-who-died-in-police-custody-articleshow.html
(5) Giles Whittell (03/07/23) France is at a turning point on police violence. https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2023/07/03/france-is-at-a-turning-point-on-police-violence/
(6) Chekkat. Op. Cit.
(7) Amnesty International UK (13/07/23) France: Independent body needed to investigate policing after Nahel killing – new briefing. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/france-independent-body-needed-investigate-policing-after-nahel-killing-new-briefing
(8) Blog Editor (12/07/17) The CFA Franc: French Monetary Imperialism in Africa. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/africaatlse/2017/07/12/the-cfa-franc-french-monetary-imperialism-in-africa/; Clair MacDougall (09/0/20) “A pan-African CFA activist is the face of rising anti-French sentiment in Francophone West Africa. https://qz.com/africa/1781660/france-the-end-of-west-africas-cfa-kemi-seba-and-eco; Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza (22/01/19) Italian Deputy PM Accuses France For Causing Poverty in Africa by Never Ending Colonialism. https://www.africanexponent.com/post/9683-according-to-the-italian-deputy-prime-minister-france-is-to-blame-for-the-poverty-in-africa
we ask the question:
France in flames Pt. 2: What now?
1) Is France the most dangerous place in Europe for Afrikans?
2) Is there a coherent grassroots campaign against state violence in France?
3) Is the French government likely to end its “dangerous denial of the effects of systemic racism” anytime soon?
4) Does France’s colonial legacy a factor in its policing?
Our Special Guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
Bro. Franco Lollia: is the spokesperson for the anti-negrophobia brigade [negrophobia = anti-black racism]. The anti-negrophobia brigade is a decolonial and anti-racist collective born at the end of 2005 from in an autonomous and non-institutional manner; in particular following the revolts that took place in France following the death of two teenagers – Zyed and Bouna – following a racial profiling; but also following a wave of arsons committed during the spring-summer of 2005 in unsanitary housing.These intentional fires killed 53 people (including 32 children) overwhelmingly of sub-Saharan origin.Our objective is therefore to embody an anti-racism-politics that runs counter to the moral anti-racism strategically born and financed by the French government at the origin of the racism of the State which serves to justify the physical and psychic colonialism which we are fighting.
Bro. Sly: is an activist with Voice Of Congo. He will also serve as the translator for the show.
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SIGN: Justice for children wrongly classified as ESN: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/631043
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SIGN: Stop Anti African racism in Tunisia – https://chng.it/5MVRbCD2sn
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Too many Black lives are destroyed aimlessly because of systemic discrimination, cultural barriers and stigma. Join the protest to STOP failures (in order to) Save lives.
1pm, Saturday 21st July 2023, St. Pancras Hospital, 4 St. Pancras Way, London, NW1 0PE
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