This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, the city of Paris was gripped by tensions as police clashed with residents in the low-income northern suburbs, amidst the strict coronavirus lockdown.
According to eyewitnesses and police, the clashes began in the early hours of Saturday when a motorcyclist was injured during a police check in Villeneuve-la-Garenne. The motorcyclist, 30, was hospitalized with a broken leg and underwent surgery after crashing into the open door of a police car.
Residents alleged that the door was opened deliberately, prompting the rider to smash into it. The motorcyclist's family has lodged a complaint against the officers, and an investigation has been opened by prosecutors.
As the situation escalated, residents in Villeneuve-la-Garenne and nearby Aulnay-sous-Bois burned trash and cars, and shot fireworks at police. The police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas, resulting in four arrests.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe stated that police had carried out 13.5 million checks since the lockdown started on March 17, with over 800,000 people written up for violations. The lockdown measures have been in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus, with people allowed outside only for essential purposes.
Recent months have seen several complaints of brutality lodged against French police during pension reform protests and 'yellow vest' anti-government rallies. Rights group SOS Racisme has called for authorities to shed full light on the incident and for police restraint in this time of confinement and tensions.
