France is in a state of chaos. It’s so baffling that it’s almost unbelievable.
The main characters in this chaos are minors, and to make matters worse, they’re under 16 years old.
According to reports, in recent days, several French cities have implemented curfews for minors under the age of 16, with the curfew lasting from 11:30 PM to 6 AM the following day; some cities have even set the age limit at 13 or younger.
Minors under 16 and 13, after all, are still children.
The situation in France has left the local police officers in a dilemma.
Just a few days ago, in the city of Limoges, hundreds of masked individuals armed with weapons confronted the police. The local mayor described it as a “city guerrilla war,” where the criminals were “organized, led, premeditated, planned, armed, and even attacked the police and pedestrians.”
It’s worth noting that, with the summer vacation approaching, Limoges had already taken measures to implement a curfew for children during the holiday.
“At present, the curfew seems to be ineffective. We see young people holding rallies, but no one is stopped or arrested. The curfew does nothing.”
In another French city, Nimes, the situation is even worse.
According to online sources, many neighborhoods in the city have been controlled by drug cartels, sending threatening messages to prevent local residents from leaving.
For example, there were messages threatening, “We will kill children under 5, anyone who sees us black-clad will be shot through the gun sight, hurry and lock your kids inside.”
On social media, two men wearing headscarves and carrying assault rifles were seen stopping cleaning staff from entering communities, forcing them to request police protection before they could deliver garbage.
A few days ago, a 19-year-old young man was found dead in a village near Nimes, partially burned.
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Nim, starting from July 21st, has implemented a curfew that prohibits minors under the age of 16 from going out after 9 pm and until 6 am the next day. The curfew is in place for at least 15 days.
Vice Mayor of Nim, Sylvain, stated, “The curfew is aimed at protecting innocent minors and also to prevent teenagers from being exploited by drug dealers.”
It’s undeniable that this relates not only to the timing but also to the national context of France.
One characteristic of the French uprisings is that the “main force” consists of young people, often including many children who are minors.
I remember, when Macron condemned violence, he strongly requested parents to watch over their children because “everyone has seen that organized crime, violence, and armed groups… many of them are young. Keeping children at home is the responsibility of parents.”
“The Republic does not have an obligation to replace the responsibilities of guardians.”
Indeed, some French parents have taken action.
During one of the riots last year, there was a scene that made us laugh.
A French father caught his son who was causing trouble outside, without saying a word, he put his son into the car trunk and took him away from the scene…
Why do multiple cities now impose curfews on minors?
Now that summer vacation is over, many French children don’t need to go to school anymore and become reckless.
Behind this is a complex mix of issues such as racial tensions, religious conflicts, immigration problems, economic difficulties, educational challenges, social issues, etc. Talking about it would take too long.
Every now and then, we see Paris streets getting stirred up again and French cars getting burned.
Under these circumstances, can French children learn well?
Therefore, in May this year, there was a situation that made people both laugh and cry.
Paris Saint-Germain swept Inter Milan 5-0 in Germany’s Munich, clinching the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history.
The news reached Paris, where the city was abuzz with excitement. Then, Paris reverted to its traditional antics: burning cars, smashing windows, playing pranks with the police…
Many Parisian cars were left with new ones.
Many Parisian businesses were too busy to close and secure their doors.
Among these, many were young people, even minors.
What could be more French than a curfew? You, the minors, stay at home and don’t come out.
But can this really be enforced?
A standoff between the police and criminals in Limoges is a stark example.
It must be said that France has always had a poor record of law enforcement, with governance often lacking in effectiveness. Some areas are even controlled by drug traffickers, which is truly baffling.
French police are overworked, barely managing to keep up with the curfew.
Even in Paris, the capital of France, we know that
Paris is bustling and fashionable, but some parts of the city are places where many people dare not go.
Chinese tourists who have visited Paris have left behind unforgettable memories, such as being unwittingly robbed of their bags or even publicly snatched from their necks…
The problems in Paris, France, are mind-boggling, but is it just happening in France?
Is London without? Berlin without? Chicago without? New York without?
This is actually a common social issue in Western societies, sometimes even more severe than in Paris or French cities.
During Trump’s 1.0 era and Biden’s administration, how many fires did America see on the streets? How many cars were torched? How many shops faced “zero-dollar shopping”?
Sometimes, even American police stations were set ablaze.
Having diverse voices within a country is good.
But
Society is torn apart, the economy lacks merit, street fires and disturbances abound, and the rule of law seems to be nothing more than empty rhetoric. This is truly not a good sign.
Under the influence of the “broken window effect,” some minors have become the main force behind criminal activities, prompting questions: What’s wrong with education?
Education has failed to fulfill its intended role, both in schools and at home.
What’s even more chilling is the question: Will these children grow up to be more peaceful or more noisy on the streets after gaining experience from their street “practices”?
It’s also amusing to note that while our country is in turmoil, some Western countries seem to enjoy lecturing others about what they can’t do—what a shame!
A harmonious society is indeed very important. The long-term stability of a country cannot be achieved by merely talking about it.
We are not living in a peaceful world; we are just fortunate enough to live in one. The peace and calm we take for granted are what many people around the world covet.
Of course, doing one’s own part is most important.