Reporter Attacked, 2 Cars Burned out in Anti-police Protests in Paris Suburbs

Local Editor

The Paris suburb of Argenteuil saw violent scenes and arrests as dozens of people took to streets to protest police brutality, as the "accidental" assault of a 22-year-old man by a police officer continued to rile up French youth.

Some 50 young people gathered at Maurice Utrillo Avenue in the center of Argenteuil on Sunday evening, Le Parisien reported.

The gathering was reportedly called via Facebook, with the alleged intention to copycat the November 2005 riots. Dubbed "the French Intifada," the mass violent riots at the time were triggered by the death of two teenagers with immigrant background, who got electrocuted while hiding from police allegedly chasing them for interrogation in an eastern Paris suburb.

Witnesses reported that the young people in Argenteuil were armed with iron bars and started lighting fires. Thick smoke soon covered the scene.

Several police units with as many as 90 officers in total were promptly dispatched at around 5pm local time.

A BFM-TV journalist has been reportedly assaulted while covering the protests.

At least two cars were set on fire, as well as a number of garbage bins.

A bus driver was hospitalized with a head injury, according to Le Parisien. A bus stop and a bus were stoned, according to the mayor's office.

At around 8:15pm the crowd seems to have dispersed, while police blocked some of the streets to prevent protesters from regrouping. At least 11 arrests were made.

Similar protests have been taking place in various cities and towns in France over the weekend.

On Saturday, the neighboring commune of Bobigny saw a mass protest during which an RTL van was set on fire, windows were smashed and stores were looted.

The riots have been sparked by a disturbing incident in which a 22-year-old black man, identified only as Theo, was attacked by a police officer during a violent ID check in Aulnay-sous-Bois, Paris, on February 2.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team