From Macron to Mbappe, France outraged by latest police killing
Al JazeeraJul 04, 2023
The Facts
A fundraiser for the police officer who shot and killed French teenager Nahel Merzouk during a traffic stop has surpassed €1M ($1.09M), in a case that has sparked widespread unrest throughout France. It has thus far raised nearly five times more than a fundraiser for the family of Merzouk.
The fundraising campaign was established by Jean Messiha, a former advisor to the far-right politician and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen.
The Spin
Left narrative
The disparity between the money raised for Nahel versus the officer who slayed him speaks volumes about how France has not reckoned with the racist society that led to his death. This fund risks instigating more violence, and the far-right provocateur behind it knows exactly what he's doing with this venture. GoFundMe needs to remove this fundraiser for the sake of public safety and to help France heal from the wounds of discrimination.
Right narrative
What happened to Nahel was tragic, but nothing justifies the widespread violence we've seen grip the country. The officer accused should not be crucified before facing a court of law, and a civilized nation cannot make decisions based on "woke" mob rule. We need peace, now more than ever, so that the real work can begin. Even the grandmother of Nahel has spoken out against the senseless violence, as none of this destruction can bring him back.
