France bans Bastille fireworks over violence concerns

Instead of fireworks, some cities will celebrate a drone show festival. Credit: iStockphoto A celebration to keep them from falling into the hands of rioters.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne said the government would use «massive means to protect the French» over the weekend of July 14 after violent protests in cities across throughout the country.

The fireworks decree, published in the official government gazette, states that only professionals will be exempt from the ban.

“To prevent the risk of serious public disturbance during the 14 July, the sale, carrying, transportation and use of pyrotechnics and fireworks is prohibited until July 15 inclusive throughout the country,” it says.

France has been rocked by looting, vandalism and violence since the death of Nahel Merzouk, a teenager of Algerian-Moroccan descent, who was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic stop in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre on June 27.

< p> Rebels damaged schools, libraries, town halls and businesses . While the worst of the unrest has subsided, the authorities are taking no chances over the holiday weekend, which tends to turn violent.

>In a nationwide crackdown ahead of the Bastille celebration, police seized 1.5 tons of illegal mortar fireworks in Greater Paris in 48 hours and 2.7 tons of fireworks in the city of Rennes in northwest France last week.

Along with other weapons, the rioters used fireworks to create chaos. Most of the goods sold on the black market are illegally imported from Poland and Eastern Europe under names such as «Crackling Chrysanthemums» or «Riot Machine Guns».

“Unfortunately, we must expect renewed urban violence on July 14,” said Gregory Joron, general secretary of the Unit-SGP Police FO police union. “Even without the riots, July 14th, along with December 31st, is one of the two most difficult days on our calendar.”

In an interview with Le Parisien published on Saturday evening, Ms. the faces and residents I met on site are indeed very concerned about Bastille Day and possible new incidents.

“Home Secretary Gerald Darmanin will clarify this, but the funds will be huge. to protect the French on these two sensitive days.”

Instead of fireworks, some cities will celebrate a festival of drone shows.

Meanwhile, Ms Bourne said the government is working to fine the parents of rioters as punishment.

“Today, when an adult commits an act of this kind, we can resort to a fixed penalty. It's fast and efficient. This is not possible for minors. Therefore, we are going to create a device that will allow us to do this,” she added.