(from Decolonial News)
⚠️ Content warning: Description of violence.
"SINCE THE MOVEMENT BEGAN: VICTIMS OF THE STATE
The facts:
Since Saturday, the media have counted every broken window, every burned city hall, every looted store. Property damage makes the headlines. Mutilated bodies end up at the bottom of the page.
So we will tell you what the French state has destroyed in human lives since the movement began: hands blown off, eyes lost, skulls split open, and at least one death.
Paris, October 17:
Videos show a street medic beaten by several police officers, then carried away. As we write, we do not know whether he is still alive. Many sources on social media say he died. No official information confirms it, but nothing rules it out.
The same day, on Boulevard Magenta, a protester died. The police prefecture cites cardiorespiratory arrest. No investigation has been announced.
Evan, 15, Lens:
In early October, near the Auguste-Behal high school, Evan had his left hand blown off by a stun grenade thrown by the police during a student protest.
The Béthune prosecutor confirmed the amputation. The police oversight body (IGPN) has opened an investigation. Evan is 15 years old.
Saint-Étienne, October 17:
A young protester had his hand blown off by a police grenade. He was rushed to the university hospital.
Every account puts his age at 16 or 17. The authorities call him a "young adult." The police are trying to impose their narrative before any investigation. The only question that matters: why are explosive grenades still used against civilians? France is one of the few countries in Europe that still uses them.
Maël, 16, Tours:
In late September, during the blockade of Balzac high school, Maël was hit by a rubber-bullet launcher (LBD). He lost the use of his right eye.
A police officer has been formally charged with aggravated assault, placed under judicial supervision and barred from using the LBD. A second officer involved has the status of assisted witness.
Maïssa, 17, Mulhouse:
On Saturday, October 17, Maïssa was leaving a kebab shop with friends. She was not protesting. She ran into the march and was hit in the face by a projectile, a tear gas grenade according to witnesses.
Brow bone hit, cornea split: she will never see again with her left eye. The IGN has been called in, and her family is filing a complaint.
Eden, 14, Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône:
On September 28, Eden was hit in the face by a tear gas grenade fired from a launcher. Fractured jaw, broken teeth. The scene was filmed, and Le Monde authenticated the video. A police officer has been formally charged with violence causing mutilation or permanent disability. Eden is 14 years old.
Emmanuel, 16, Meudon:
On September 30, during a school blockade, Emmanuel was surrounded by riot police, beaten, then dragged face down along a road covered in broken glass. He says an officer called him a racist slur.
The result: a head injury and glass fragments in his forehead. He was then held in custody for 24 hours and faces trial on December 9. His family is filing a complaint.
Aiming for the eyes:
On October 17 in Strasbourg, a man was seriously injured by an LBD shot, in the eye according to France 3. In Clermont-Ferrand, a protester collapsed after being hit full in the face by an LBD. In Paris, a protester with a head injury filed a complaint.
On October 1 in Argenteuil, a 16-year-old student was shot in the face with an LBD. He may lose the use of his left eye.
Skulls split open:
On October 8, at Place de la Bastille in Paris, three people had their skulls split open by police batons, including an 18-year-old and Marine, 26, who needed six staples.
On October 7 in Marseille, outside Marie-Curie high school, a 17-year-ola student was struck on the head by a riot officer's baton. Six stitches.
What they don't count:
According to StreetPress, more than 210 high school students have been injured since the movement began. The state publishes no figures at all on injured protesters. It counts its police officers, it counts the windows.
These weapons are used under the authority of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. He is responsible. Behind every first name, a life damaged by the state.
The Decolonial News team"
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