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From The Socialist newspaper, 15 February 2017
France: police attack triggers protests
photo Mikael Marguerie/Creative Commons (Click to enlarge)
Paris has been rocked by days of protests following the horrific assault by police on a black youth worker from the poor northern suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois.
The victim, 22-year old Theo, remains in hospital following major surgery after being raped with a truncheon during his arrest by four policemen. The police claim "it was an accident"!
A bedside visit by President Hollande has done little to quell people's anger over this crime. Many, especially in the socially deprived outer Paris neighbourhoods, view the police as oppressors.
Indeed, Aulnay-sous-Bois, where Theo lives, was one of the suburbs which saw an uprising and violent clashes between police and youth in 2005, triggered when two teenagers being chased by police were electrocuted. The rioting which followed led to Nicolas Sarkozy, then interior minister, declaring a state of emergency.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 15 February 2017:
What we think
Council cuts can be fought - and they must be
Corbyn needs to stand up to Brexit rebels
Socialist Party news and analysis
Resist Trump and his rotten policies: why I'm walking out on 'Day X'
Socialist Students: growing, brimming with confidence
Thousands march to defend Glenfield heart centre
Save child refugees, fight the cuts
International socialist news and analysis
Spain: clear win for left at Podemos conference!
CWI and Izquierda Revolucionaria - towards unification
Izquierda Revolucionaria central committee meeting
France: police attack triggers protests
Workplace news and analysis
United fightback needed as entire grade of rail worker is at stake
"Disgraceful" treatment of sacked EHRC workers
Vibrant Picturehouse pickets in continued living wage strike
Ultimatum as Deliveroo drivers down tools in Brighton
Solidarity with Tesco Ireland Valentine's Day strike
PCS union pledges to fight Jobcentre job losses
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Anti-trade union laws used against 'Trees Action' protesters
Support floods in for the Cardiff no-cuts three
The Socialist: 20 years old and more important than ever
Toxic fracking could start in England in 2017
May Day greetings in the Socialist
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
No, Trumpism is nothing like Leninism
Foreign aid's not the problem - it's capitalist thieves
Vivid visual account of the Paris Commune
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