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PARIS (AFP) - Nearly 900 vehicles were torched and 250-plus people arrested as French police desperately battled the country's worst rioting for decades, which has now raged for nine consecutive nights.

Again, the bulk of the violence on Saturday hit deprived suburbs with large immigrant populations on the fringes of Paris, although rioting again spread to several cities elsewhere in France, following a pattern seen in recent nights.

With authorities seemingly powerless to stem the tide of violence despite the mobilisation of hundreds of riot police, gangs of youths set cars on fire around Paris, especially in the northern suburbs where the trouble began.

A hundred people were evacuated overnight from two apartment blocks in one northern suburb after an arson attack set dozens of cars alight in an underground garage.

Two textile warehouses and a car showroom were also torched to the northeast of the city.


A total of 253 people were detained for questioning, some of them minors caught with fire-bombs, police said.


Paris prosecutor general Yves Bot said that 897 vehicles had been burnt overnight Friday, including 656 in the Paris region.


Questioned on Europe 1 radio, Bot spoke of "organised violence" but did not say by whom.


"If I could give an exact answer, those people would already be under arrest," he said. "But we can see organised actions, a strategy."


Bot said that weblogs were asking other French cities to join the rioting in the Paris region.


Incidents on a smaller scale were reported in the southern cities of Toulouse and Nice, and in Lille and Rennes to the north.


The increased arrests were in line with priorities laid down for police by hardline Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy.


However, the intensity of clashes with police was less than on many nights since the violence began on October 27, sparked by the electrocution of two youths in the suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois after they hid from police in an electrical relay station.


Rather than attack police, many youths appeared to opt instead to run away after lighting fires, although some bottles, stones and petrol bombs were thrown.


The renewed violence began just hours after Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin held a crisis meeting with Sarkozy to discuss a response to the riots, France's worst civil unrest since the 1968 student revolts.


Sarkozy, whose tough law and order policies some have blamed for worsening the trouble, later made a surprise visit to a police command centre west of Paris, telling officers: "Arrests -- that's the key."


He urged them to get more information on those causing the trouble "so we can better understand how they're organised, because they are organised."


Sarkozy, who is aiming at a presidential bid in 2007, has pledged to clean up the crime-ridden streets of France's deprived suburban housing projects "with a power-hose", controversially referring to trouble-makers as "rabble".


The seemingly uncontainable violence has proved deeply embarrassing to the government, focusing global attention on the often terrible conditions in deprived suburbs, where largely immigrant populations complain of dismal economic prospects, rampant discrimination and heavy-handed policing.


French newspapers despaired on Saturday at the continued scenes of chaos.


"Are the police overwhelmed?" France Soir asked, referring to what it termed the "genuine guerrilla warfare" faced by officers.


Popular daily Le Parisien said many of those arrested were previously known to police, calling the youths burning cars "a mix of delinquents, recidivists and 'part time' rioters".


In contrast, Liberation, said the rioters were inspired by a combination of anger, urban deprivation, unemployment, policing and "their hatred of Sarkozy".

DonnaKayDunbar wrote:Does anyone care?

Doesn't matter. They'll just lose anyway.

It is a racism issue ...... stemmed by the electrocution of the two kids hiding from the police.

The rioters are the poorer african origin french ......

creeky wrote:It is a racism issue ...... stemmed by the electrocution of the two kids hiding from the police.

But the Police had nothing to do with the electocution. They chose to hide in a substation.

CaptainP wrote:

creeky wrote:It is a racism issue ...... stemmed by the electrocution of the two kids hiding from the police.

But the Police had nothing to do with the electocution. They chose to hide in a substation.

I know this - I think it just "moved on" from that - they obviously have issues with how they are treated or whatever ...

That is my take on what has happened.

creeky wrote:It is a racism issue ...... stemmed by the electrocution of the two kids hiding from the police.

The rioters are the poorer african origin french ......

The kids electrocuted themselves....they ran from police and caused their own deaths.

It really makes all the sense in the world to riot and destroy private property....and homes....yeah they really deserve support of the people....NOT!!!
Being poor or African or Irish or a Martian or whatever, is no reason or excuse for such conduct or damage. The ones who do such deserve what they get rather than pacify them and grant their demands.
But since it France, I am surprised France has not surrendered yet....

Sam wrote:

creeky wrote:It is a racism issue ...... stemmed by the electrocution of the two kids hiding from the police.

The rioters are the poorer african origin french ......

The kids electrocuted themselves....they ran from police and caused their own deaths.

It really makes all the sense in the world to riot and destroy private property....and homes....yeah they really deserve support of the people....NOT!!!
Being poor or African or Irish or a Martian or whatever, is no reason or excuse for such conduct or damage. The ones who do such deserve what they get rather than pacify them and grant their demands.
But since it France, I am surprised France has not surrendered yet....

Riots like this, have happened in Australia because of police involvement with Aboriginal youth. It has also happened in the USA (Rodney King?)....

I think it just highlights an issue.

The poorest people in these communities are from non white backgrounds.

I am not supporting what they are doing - I dont agree with the behaviour - just pointing out what the cause of the riots are

creeky wrote:

Sam wrote:

creeky wrote:It is a racism issue ...... stemmed by the electrocution of the two kids hiding from the police.

The rioters are the poorer african origin french ......

The kids electrocuted themselves....they ran from police and caused their own deaths.

It really makes all the sense in the world to riot and destroy private property....and homes....yeah they really deserve support of the people....NOT!!!
Being poor or African or Irish or a Martian or whatever, is no reason or excuse for such conduct or damage. The ones who do such deserve what they get rather than pacify them and grant their demands.
But since it France, I am surprised France has not surrendered yet....

Riots like this, have happened in Australia because of police involvement with Aboriginal youth. It has also happened in the USA (Rodney King?)....

I think it just highlights an issue.

The poorest people in these communities are from non white backgrounds.

I am not supporting what they are doing - I dont agree with the behaviour - just pointing out what the cause of the riots are

The riots happen all over the world.I did not mean to insinuate or say in anyway that you agreed with such conduct and/or actions.
There have been numerous riots in the U.S. and elsewhere. People do not do it simply because they are poor.
You mention Rodney King...well I think the media had A LOT to do with that riot and the deaths of around 64 people. The media edited the tape to show only one side of it.

People are led into it by someone, or several someones, based upon rumors and misinformation/and half truths...notice leaders and agitators are seldom if ever caught or identified. Meanwhile nothing they do, the damage they cost to private property and businesses or loss of life is going to help the two kids that electrocuted themselves.
Those kids had a choice when they ran from the authorities, it does not matter what their socio economic situation was nor does the color of thier skin. If anyone is to blame it is those that taught them to run from the police. i.e. the parents and society they grew up in.

Is it right for a kid or kids to steal your car and go joy riding? Should that be acceptable behavior? Are the police wrong when persuing them and it turns into a high speed pursuit and it tragically ends with the kids wrecking the car and losing their life or killing someone else?

The French should have seen this coming by the way they treat minorities. I am not saying that the riots should have happened but those involved have been trying to integrate as what the French have wanted to but have been denied a lot of things because they don't "look French" so they said enough. That is all I am going to say about this.

aeroparrot wrote:The French should have seen this coming by the way they treat minorities. I am not saying that the riots should have happened but those involved have been trying to integrate as what the French have wanted to but have been denied a lot of things because they don't "look French" so they said enough. That is all I am going to say about this.

Aren't the French suppose to be quite liberal in the way they treat others? I mean other than the ones that are of the belief of "French First" such as certian people are up in parts of Canada.....???

Sam wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:The French should have seen this coming by the way they treat minorities. I am not saying that the riots should have happened but those involved have been trying to integrate as what the French have wanted to but have been denied a lot of things because they don't "look French" so they said enough. That is all I am going to say about this.

Aren't the French suppose to be quite liberal in the way they treat others? I mean other than the ones that are of the belief of "French First" such as certian people are up in parts of Canada.....???

Supposed to be and actually are are two different things. You can always say that you're liberal but remember the old saying that "actions speak louder than words?" Their actions haven't come close to what they say they believe in.

aeroparrot wrote:

Sam wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:The French should have seen this coming by the way they treat minorities. I am not saying that the riots should have happened but those involved have been trying to integrate as what the French have wanted to but have been denied a lot of things because they don't "look French" so they said enough. That is all I am going to say about this.

Aren't the French suppose to be quite liberal in the way they treat others? I mean other than the ones that are of the belief of "French First" such as certian people are up in parts of Canada.....???

Supposed to be and actually are are two different things. You can always say that you're liberal but remember the old saying that "actions speak louder than words?" Their actions haven't come close to what they say they believe in.

I am not arguing with you .... and I agree with you...I was just pointing out that France was.....well you know....

Sam wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:

Sam wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:The French should have seen this coming by the way they treat minorities. I am not saying that the riots should have happened but those involved have been trying to integrate as what the French have wanted to but have been denied a lot of things because they don't "look French" so they said enough. That is all I am going to say about this.

Aren't the French suppose to be quite liberal in the way they treat others? I mean other than the ones that are of the belief of "French First" such as certian people are up in parts of Canada.....???

Supposed to be and actually are are two different things. You can always say that you're liberal but remember the old saying that "actions speak louder than words?" Their actions haven't come close to what they say they believe in.

I am not arguing with you .... and I agree with you...I was just pointing out that France was.....well you know....

That's a myth that this administration (and Fox News) would have you believe.

And here I thought this thread was about a Broadway show...

I lost any remaining (and there wasn't much) respect for the French after visiting Ottawa, Canada this past week and having to deal with the French Canadians (just as rude as the european french). The arrogance of their culture was epitomized to me when watching the weather on French-language TV; when showing local temperatures (they only bothered with the french-speaking provinces), they didn't bother to even name Ottawa (hey, it's only the national capital after all), instead using Gatineau, a dinky French-speaking town across the river.

I'm not buying any more French wines and cheeses...

Lightning Bolt wrote:

Sam wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:

Sam wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:The French should have seen this coming by the way they treat minorities. I am not saying that the riots should have happened but those involved have been trying to integrate as what the French have wanted to but have been denied a lot of things because they don't "look French" so they said enough. That is all I am going to say about this.

Aren't the French suppose to be quite liberal in the way they treat others? I mean other than the ones that are of the belief of "French First" such as certian people are up in parts of Canada.....???

Supposed to be and actually are are two different things. You can always say that you're liberal but remember the old saying that "actions speak louder than words?" Their actions haven't come close to what they say they believe in.

I am not arguing with you .... and I agree with you...I was just pointing out that France was.....well you know....

That's a myth that this administration (and Fox News) would have you believe.

Did your parents happen to have any intelligent children that lived,or did they call it quits with you?

Lundah wrote:I lost any remaining (and there wasn't much) respect for the French after visiting Ottawa, Canada this past week and having to deal with the French Canadians (just as rude as the european french). The arrogance of their culture was epitomized to me when watching the weather on French-language TV; when showing local temperatures (they only bothered with the french-speaking provinces), they didn't bother to even name Ottawa (hey, it's only the national capital after all), instead using Gatineau, a dinky French-speaking town across the river.

I will agree the FRench Seperatist(sp) in Canada are a real PITA!! They are detrimental to tourism and to buisness there. I had some run ins with them...may they all be forced to drink MD 20/20 for eternity and the day after. BLEEP THEM and their tude!!!

Sam wrote:

Lightning Bolt wrote:

Sam wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:

Sam wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:The French should have seen this coming by the way they treat minorities. I am not saying that the riots should have happened but those involved have been trying to integrate as what the French have wanted to but have been denied a lot of things because they don't "look French" so they said enough. That is all I am going to say about this.

Aren't the French suppose to be quite liberal in the way they treat others? I mean other than the ones that are of the belief of "French First" such as certian people are up in parts of Canada.....???

Supposed to be and actually are are two different things. You can always say that you're liberal but remember the old saying that "actions speak louder than words?" Their actions haven't come close to what they say they believe in.

I am not arguing with you .... and I agree with you...I was just pointing out that France was.....well you know....

That's a myth that this administration (and Fox News) would have you believe.

Did your parents happen to have any intelligent children that lived,or did they call it quits with you?

Why, yes... after they gave you up for adoption (citing your irreversible brain damage)
they've been quite pleased with my sister and myself, thank you!