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My dear fellow citizens, I address you tonight at a moment of extreme gravity, following what we experienced yesterday in many French cities, both in the mainland and in our overseas territories.
President Macron addresses the violent events of October 17, condemns destruction, supports victims, and promises government action and justice.
Key Takeaways
- Violence on October 17 was perpetrated by fringe groups and criminals, not peaceful protesters.
- The government is committed to supporting victims and restoring order through aid and justice.
- Law enforcement showed professionalism despite unprecedented violence and will be supported.
- Investigations and judicial proceedings will be conducted swiftly and transparently.
- Legitimate protests must not be confused with violent acts of destruction and looting.
What the video covers
- President Emmanuel Macron addresses the nation following violent riots on October 17 in French cities and overseas territories.
- He condemns the violence caused by far-left agitators and delinquents, including looting and attacks on public buildings.
- Macron expresses anger and shame over the destruction of town halls, shops, and other public sites.
- He offers support to law enforcement officers injured during the unrest and praises their professionalism.
- The president also supports mayors, elected officials, and economic actors affected by the violence.
- A government crisis unit chaired by the Prime Minister will mobilize aid for those impacted.
- Macron demands lessons be learned about intelligence and anticipation to prevent future violence.
- He calls for transparency and swift, firm judicial action against perpetrators.
- The president distinguishes between peaceful demonstrators with legitimate demands and violent rioters.
- He emphasizes that those responsible for destruction and looting will face justice and restitution.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction and Context of Violence
- 00:31Description of Riots and Damage
- 01:51Impact on Law Enforcement and Public
- 05:22Support for Victims and Economic Actors
- 08:41Government Crisis Response
- 10:41Calls for Intelligence and Transparency
- 11:40Judicial Follow-up and Justice
- 15:56Distinguishing Protesters from Rioters
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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Yesterday, Saturday, October 17th, agitators from far-left fringe groups, joined by numerous
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delinquents, engaged in unbridled violence in our cities.
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Businesses were looted, public buildings, shops, and town halls were attacked—some destroyed—and several hundred police officers and gendarmes were injured.
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As we watched these images, we all asked ourselves: what could they be thinking?
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How can French citizens do this to France?
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Why burn the town hall in Limoges, the tourism office in Lyon, invade the city hall in Marseille, or attack the prefect’s residence in Bordeaux?
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How could they reach this point? Nothing justifies it, nothing
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explains it, nothing excuses it.
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We all feel anger and shame tonight.
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Seeing the streets of our cities ransacked like this is unbearable.
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On your behalf, I express the nation's support for our law enforcement and internal security forces.
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They held their ground and did their best.
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Our thoughts are with the many who were injured, as well as their families.
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I also express our support for all our mayors and our elected officials.
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And I also want to convey our support to the many
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shopkeepers, artisans, and economic actors who have suffered the consequences of this violence and are in distress today.
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Some even defended their own shops and storefronts against these delinquents.
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I want to tell them that they will not be left alone to
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face these difficulties. The government will provide them with answers, and starting tomorrow, the Prime Minister will chair a crisis unit to mobilize aid as quickly as possible and support those enduring these difficult hours.
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We must be clear-eyed. Yesterday, our law enforcement, despite their professionalism, had to endure unprecedented violence in many cities, repeatedly.
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I have asked the government to draw every lesson regarding intelligence and anticipation to ensure that this cannot happen again. I expect
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clear answers, and full transparency will be provided.
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This is what I have requested from the Minister of the Interior. Investigations will be conducted with all necessary diligence as quickly as possible, and the Minister of Justice has requested the
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utmost firmness from the prosecutors.
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The judicial follow-up must be exemplary. Our judges deliver justice in your name, and they know what you expect.
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Whenever crimes are committed, they must lead to appropriate judicial consequences. Those who destroyed must pay. Those who looted must make
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restitution. Those who sought to bring down the Republic will have to answer for it.
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We must also look lucidly at what is being expressed in the country.
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Yesterday, several hundred thousand of our compatriots demonstrated with the desire to voice legitimate demands.
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We must never confuse the latter with those who destroyed, broke, and looted.
Topics:Emmanuel MacronOctober 17 violenceFrance riotslaw enforcement supportgovernment responsejudicial actionpublic building attacksprotests vs violenceFrench cities unrestcrisis management
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