On June 28^th, nearly 200 people were arrested in major cities across France on the second consecutive night in a rash of riots. Police stations, town halls, schools, and public transport all saw unrest in various towns after police shot a 17-year-old boy of Algerian and Moroccan descent, identified as Nahel M. According to C.B.S. News, Nahel’s encounter with the police in the western Parisian suburb of Nanterre on June 27^th turned fatal when he allegedly disregarded an order to stop his car.

Nahel’s shooter has been detained, and the officer is facing charges of voluntary homicide.

French interior minister Gérald Darmanin said on the 29^th that 170 officers were injured in the 28^th’s clashes and 180 people were arrested. More than 850 arrests have been made since the beginning of the protest, reports Al Jazeera.

“This was not a minor protest at all; it was a little gathering of people who went with the choice to send off assaults on the images of our republic,” Darmanin said. “It was about a small group of people deciding to attack the symbols of the republic.” Announcing the nationwide deployment of 40,000 police officers in response to worries about the continuing violence, Darmanin vowed to restore France’s “justice, calm, and freedom,” warning rioters, “Those who thrive on chaos and disorder must retreat.”

France’s political atmosphere was already contentious before Nahel’s death. In the previous few months more than 1 million people demonstrated across the country against unpopular pension reforms, and violence erupted in some places as unions called for new nationwide strikes and protests. Polls say most French oppose President Emmanuel Macron’s bill to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64, which he says is necessary to keep the system afloat, reported AP News. Following Nahel’s funeral, outcry against the French government has only grown louder.

While it is essential to reject violence and restore public order, it is equally essential to comprehend that a long-term solution requires more than just a forceful condemnation of the rioters’ behavior. These protests are a consequence of serious feelings and discontent that should be properly addressed. Suppressing demonstrations with a large number of police officers may temporarily enforce peace and calm, but will not address the lack of trust the protesting French feel in the institutions that allowed a boy to be shot and killed over a traffic stop.

Rather, governments ought to take public sentiment into account and involve citizens in life-affecting decision-making processes. Legislatures should listen to the dissenters, pay attention to their concerns, and work towards establishing comprehensive and impartial arrangements. The French public’s growing unhappiness with their government’s treatment of Macron’s pension reforms and Nahel’s shooting only emphasize the need for meaningful dialogue between communities, law enforcement, and the State. By promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory governance, leaders can bridge the gap between the people and the institutions, fostering trust and social cohesion.

In a democratic society, the right to protest is essential for expressing discontent, raising awareness, and bringing about positive social change. Governments should actively engage in conversations with protesters and their representatives. By keeping communication channels open, both sides can gain a better understanding of each other’s perspectives and find common ground for peaceful conflict resolution.