"They have no work. They have nothing to do. Put yourself in their place," said Abderrahmane Bouhout, president of the Clichy-sous-Bois mosque, where a tear gas grenade exploded Sunday evening. Local youths suspected a police attack, and authorities are investigating.
The violence cast doubt on the success of France's model of seeking to integrate its large immigrant community — its Muslim population, at an estimated 5 million, is Western Europe's largest — by playing down differences between ethnic groups. But rather than be embraced as full and equal citizens, immigrants and their French-born children often complain of police harassment and of being refused jobs, housing and opportunities.
CNN's poll today has 47% of Frenchmen calling for the deployment of troops into Paris suburbs. 41% want a curfew imposed on Paris. The remainder are asking the police to withdraw away from all Paris suburbs.
Put myself in their place. Hmmm.... I can imagine having no work. I can imagine having nothing to do. I can't imagine rioting over it. I would find a way to market my education and skills or learn new skills. If I needed to relocate to find opportunities, I'd move. I can't believe there are no options for people who want to work and improve their situation.