On Saturday, thousands gathered in Paris for the largest of many recent protests against police brutality.
The unrest began when a 22-year-old black man, known only as Théo, was allegedly beaten and raped
by police in a Parisian suburb on February 2nd.
Four days later, President François Hollande visited Théo in hospital,
hoping to calm the anger that has spread throughout France.
But the gesture has done little to placate the masses there.
Milène Larsson reports from Paris.
Protesters here are angry, over what they see as the police systematically targeting black and Arab Parisians.
What started off as a peaceful protest quickly descended into anarchy.
– Things just kicked off. Kids are throwing bottles and stones at the police.
The police are answering with tear gas.
– As protests rage on, Théo remains in hospital, recovering from the injuries he sustained
after a stop-and-frisk that turned violent.
We spoke to his childhood friend, Zakaria.
– You just saw Théo at the hospital. How is he doing?
The alleged assault took place in Aulnay-sous-Bois,
a poverty-stricken suburb of Paris with a large immigrant population.
A video circulating online has sparked international controversy.
There are still conflicting claims as to the events that transpired.
The allegation is that Théo was targeted by four officers who beat him,
threw him to the ground, and thrust a baton into his anus, rupturing his intestines.
One officer has been charged with rape, and three others with unnecessary violence.
They all deny the charges.
Lawyers for the police officers have suggested that any injury inflicted was accidental.
18-year-old Issa organized Saturday’s “Justice for Théo” demonstration,
which he had hoped would be peaceful.
– Have the police ever stopped and frisked you?
The timing of these protests couldn’t be politically more sensitive.
France selects its next president in April.
The far-right Front National’s candidate, Marine Le Pen,
has started a petition to support the police and, on Sunday,
Le Pen and her closest advisor publicly referred to the protesters as scum.