Macron also sees social media responsible for the escalation of the protests.
(Photo: dpa)
Paris In the fight against further unrest in France, French President Emmanuel Macron is also considering blocking online media. One has to think about the use of social networks by the protesting young people and possible bans, Macron said at a meeting with mayors on Tuesday in Paris, the broadcaster BFMTV reported.
“And when things get out of hand, you may need to put yourself in a position to regulate them or turn them off. You should never do that in the heat of the moment, and I’m glad we didn’t have to.”
On Friday, the President also blamed social networks for the escalation of violence in the protests against police violence. Violent gatherings were organized there. Now Macron said that dealing with social media should be thought about in peace. “Because when it becomes a tool for gatherings or for trying to kill, it’s a real issue.”
Meanwhile, in northern France, controls at the border with Belgium have been tightened to stop the import of fireworks, the newspaper “Le Parisien” reported on Tuesday evening, citing the prefecture. It should be prevented that the rioters stock up on supplies of firecrackers. People with pyrotechnics have already been stopped on both sides of the border. The prefecture in northern France ordered a ban on the sale and carrying of fireworks and petrol in cans until mid-July.
Since the death of 17-year-old Nahel by a police bullet during a traffic stop on Tuesday last week, France has been shaken by serious riots. There were repeated looting, arson attacks and violent confrontations between police officers and rioters. The officer who fired the shot at the youth is being investigated on suspicion of manslaughter.
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