France Deploys Notorious Anti-Riot Police Unit to Martinique
Last edited Mon Sep 23, 2024, 08:24 AM - Edit history (2)
Source: The Voice of America
France deployed a contingent of special anti-riot police that's been banned for 65 years to the French Caribbean island of Martinique, where protesters have gathered despite the government barring demonstrations in parts of the island. The local government issued a curfew after violent protests broke out last week over the high cost of living. Six police officers and one civilian were wounded. Police launched tear gas and several stores were looted.
But the curfew was met by defiance by many on the island, with massive peaceful protests breaking out Saturday night. Videos from local media show crowds of thousands peacefully walking along highways overnight banging on drums and waving flags.
As protests continued without violence, a contingency of French anti-riot police arrived on the island and checked into a hotel in Fort-de-France. The size of the force was not disclosed.
The elite riot police were banned in the French territory following bloody riots in Dec 1959 for allegedly using disproportionate force against protesters. The force is rarely deployed in French territories in the Caribbean but was called on during riots and strikes in Guadeloupe in 2009.
Read more: Long-forbidden French anti-riot force sent to Martinique as thousands defy bans on protests (voanews.com)
Martinique has a land area of 436sqmi and a population of nearly 350,000. Map: Brittanica.com
French riot police in action in 2018. Photo: Stephane Mahe/Reuters
Martinique suffers from high unemployment, rising costs of imported food, and an ecological disaster. Five decades of pesticide use to protect the vital banana crop have sickened people and ruined the soil. Chlordecone is a carcinogenic pesticide and used on Martinique until 2003. Until all the soil is decontaminated, residents have been warned to refrain from eating self-produced fruits or vegetables.
Sources:
Long-forbidden French anti-riot force sent to Martinique as thousands defy bans on protests (voanews.com)
Intractable Social-Economic Problems of Martinique (openedition.org)
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Adopted on 2 Feb 2023, this is Martinique's flag:
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Martinique
