protests

Protests Continue Across France Over Murdered Teen

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President Emmanuel Macron has canceled a state visit to Germany as protests continue across France. The protests are in response to the killing of Nahel M., a 17-year-old delivery driver. Nahel was shot and killed by police in Nanterre, a suburb 6.8 miles northwest of the center of Paris. While police claim the officers responded with deadly force due to a direct threat to their lives, this has been disputed. Lawyers for the family of Nahel released a video showing officers firing at Nael’s car as it drove away after a traffic stop. The officer deemed to have fired the fatal shot has been detained on a manslaughter charge.

Just the latest in a series of increasingly common police killings in France, thousands have taken to the streets across the country. It’s the second major civil action undertaken by the nation’s citizens this year. Starting in January, thousands have engaged in a work stoppage and protest action over changes to the country’s pension scheme. However, the protests of the killing of Nahel have drawn comparisons to similar protests in 2005. That action was undertaken after two teenagers were electrocuted to death while hiding from police in a power substation.

Related: Elon Musk mocks Ferguson-inspired project

Macron Stays Home, Nahel Buried

French protest
NANTERRE, FRANCE – JUNE 29: Protestors use materials to form barriers as they clash with French police after a memorial march for French teenager Nahel, shot by police during a traffic control stop several days ago, on June 29, 2023 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Abdulmonam Eassa/Getty Images)

Macron, France’s increasingly embattled President, chose not to go through with a trip to Germany as the protests entered their fifth day. It would have been the first state visit to Germany by a French President in 23 years. Per the Ministry of the Interior, over 2400 people have been arrested during the protests. 1311 of these individuals were arrested on Friday night alone, with Macron urging parents to keep their children at home.

Meanwhile, Nahel was laid to rest in a hilltop cemetery in Nanterre. With the media kept out, hundreds lined the streets to pay their respects. After prayers were held at a local mosque, someone attempt to enforce androcentric Muslim funeral traditions at the gates of the ceremony. However, Nahel’s mother defied him, earning a round of applause from onlookers. Meanwhile, the protests continue to spread. In French Guinea, protests turned violent after a 54-year-old was killed by a stray bullet. Meanwhile, prosecutors begin to build a case against the accused police officer. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.

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Tyre Nichols: FBI Director Calls Video Of Police Beating “Appalling”

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What was supposed to be a simple traffic stop resulted in the tragic death of Tyre Nichols. On January 7, Nichols was reportedly pulled over in Memphis for suspicion of reckless driving. Officers claim the 29-year-old fled, and following a chase, police “confronted” the man.

It isn’t clear what occurred during the “confrontation” that police describe, but Nichols was later hospitalized. His injuries were visible as it looked like he was severely beaten, and later, the skateboarding FedEx worker passed away.

Read More: Memphis PD Address Death Of Tyre Nichols In New Statement

USA Today further reported that Nichols did complain that he had shortness of breath. An autopsy also showed he “suffered extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating,” attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said in a joint statement. They represent the Nichols family.

Five officers involved were not only fired, but they were arrested and indicted.

Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III, and Desmond Mills Jr. all face charges of second-degree murder. They have also been charged with “aggravated assault – acting in concert, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct and one count of official oppression, court records show.”

The public has called for the bodycam footage from the officers to be released. Officials have already looked at the videos, and several have expressed their ire with the officers’ behavior.

Additionally, FBI Director Chris Wray called the video of the incident “appalling.”

Read More: Bill Barr Argues Racial Bias in Police Shootings Is A “False Narrative”

Protests have also already erupted, and Nichols’ family has asked for them to be peaceful. President Biden released a statement co-signing the sentiment.

“Tyre’s family deserves a swift, full, and transparent investigation into his death. As Americans grieve, the Department of Justice conducts its investigation, and state authorities continue their work, I join Tyre’s family in calling for peaceful protest. Outrage is understandable, but violence is never acceptable. Violence is destructive and against the law. It has no place in peaceful protests seeking justice.”

He further stated, “Public trust is the foundation of public safety and there are still too many places in America today where the bonds of trust are frayed or broken. Tyre’s death is a painful reminder that we must do more to ensure that our criminal justice system lives up to the promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment, and dignity for all. We also cannot ignore the fact that fatal encounters with law enforcement have disparately impacted Black and Brown people.”

The five officers have reportedly all bonded out of jail. Each is looking at upwards of 60 years in prison if convicted of the second-degree murder charge alone.

Check out more reactions below as officials

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Six Arrested After Riots Break Out Near Atlanta Police Training Facility

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Atlanta police arrested six individuals on Saturday (January 21) after peaceful protests against an activist’s death turned to riots. Moreover, the protests occurred near the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, which many citizens wish to see removed. After the peaceful demonstrations evolved into violent responses, protestors smashed windows, caused chaos, and lit a police vehicle on fire.

ATLANTA, USA – JANUARY 21: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after an Atlanta police vehicle was set on fire during a “Stop cop city” protest in Atlanta, Georgia, United States on January 21, 2023. Multiple buildings were vandalized and an Atlanta police vehicle was set on fire as multiple arrests were made. (Photo by Benjamin Hendren/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

“Atlanta Police officers have responded to a group damaging property at several locations along Peachtree [Street],” Atlanta PD stated on Saturday, according to Fox 5. “Several arrests have been made at this time and order has been restored to the downtown space. This is still an active and ongoing investigation and we will not be able to provide specifics on arrests numbers or property damaged, at this time.”

“Atlanta is safe and our police officers have resolved the disruptions downtown from earlier in the evening,” City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said on Saturday evening. 

“The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Police Department will continue to protect the right to peaceful protest,” he added. “We will not tolerate violence or property destruction.”

According to FOX 5 Atlanta, rioters set off fireworks and threw rocks at the Atlanta Police Foundation as well. Furthermore, protestors spoke out against the death of Manuel Esteban Páez Terán at the hands of police. Allegedly, they refused demands from authorities to leave an encampment of protestors against the new facility. Moreover, its detractors nicknamed it “Cop City.” Additionally, authorities announced this new training facility to boost morale and recruitment.

Furthermore, Terán identified as non-binary and went by “Tortuguita,” according to fellow protestors. When police searched encampments near the facility to halt their trespassing, they reportedly shot at police. Later, they died in the ensuing gunfight.

Meanwhile, Georgia governor Brian Kemp expressed that violence in peaceful are unacceptable.

“While the state continues to respect peaceful protest,” they will not tolerate riots of this magnitude. Moreover, he ordered authorities to arrest and prosecute lawbreakers.

However, what do you think of the riots near the Atlanta police training facility? Whatever the case let us know in the comments down below. Also, come back to HNHH for more updates on this story.

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